KUALA LUMPUR – National shot put athlete Jonah Chang Rigan is feeling a renewed sense of commitment and motivation following the Youth and Sports Ministry’s recent announcement on athletes receiving a salary.
Minister Hannah Yeoh’s announcement last week stated that the minimum allowance of RM800 would be replaced with a minimum salary of RM1,500 to enhance the financial security of athletes.
Jonah expressed his gratitude to the minister for fulfilling a wish that many current and former athletes had actively advocated for.
The implementation of the scheme has granted athletes like Jonah a sense of stability and dedication to their sport.
“I’m so happy that our wish has finally been granted, and I’m grateful to the minister for thinking about our welfare and taking good care of us by implementing such a scheme.
“With me receiving a monthly salary, I now feel more committed, and it motivates me to perform better for the country in all my upcoming championships,” said Jonah at the 2024 Malaysian Athletics Awards in Kuala Lumpur last night.
Reflecting on his struggles with inadequate allowances last year, he expressed his relief at now feeling like a full-time employee with a proper career.
“Last year, I nearly gave up and wanted to start working for a living because the allowance I was getting was not enough.
“I hail from a family of teachers in Sarawak, and my parents worked hard to bring me up to this level.
“Since I will be getting a monthly salary now, I will use some portion of my salary to repay my parents’ contributions to me throughout these years,” Jonah added.
Looking ahead to his athletics goals, the 21-year-old national record holder is determined to excel in the tournaments scheduled for the year.
Starting with the Jennian Homes Track & Field Championships in New Zealand in March, Jonah aims to break more records and make a mark for his country.
“The Malaysia Athletics Federation has always been key to my growth, as they have always been kind to me by helping me in every way to elevate my performance.
“I have completed my holiday, and now I’m in the mood to work and fight for the country.
“I made a lot of mistakes in last year’s Cambodia SEA Games but proved myself by creating a national record in South Korea. For this year, I want to create more records like that for my country,” said Jonah.
Jonah smashed the national men’s shot put record at the Mokpo International Athletics Championships in South Korea in October last year.
He hurled the iron ball to a distance of 17.67m, erasing the national mark of 17.54m set by Adi Alifuddin Hussin at the 2011 Palembang SEA Games.
His previous best was 17.43m registered at the Philippines Open for gold in April last year. – January 15, 2024