Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng said here on Wednesday the government is to reward 26th SEA Games medal winners with cash bonuses. "We will distribute the bonuses tomorrow (Thursday)," the minister said.

Andi said the government was ready to hand out Rp150 billion in bonus money to the successful athletes. Of the amount Rp125 billion would go to athletes who won gold medals at the rate of Rp200 million each. Silver medalists would get Rp50 million and bronze medalists Rp30 million each.

The coach of a gold medalist would also get a bonus of Rp50 million, that of a silver medalist Rp30 million and that of a bronze medalist Rp15 million.

"The taxes on all bonuses will be paid by the government. We want all the athletes to receive their bonus money fully," he said.

Indonesia emerged from the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta and Palembang as the overall champion having bagged a total of 182 gold medals, 151 silvers and 142 bronzes. The result was considered as Indonesia`s best achievement in the sports sector in the past 14 years.

The 26th SEA Games` runnerup was Thailand with 109 gold medals, 100 silvers and 120 bronzes while third position was taken by Vietnam with 96 gold medals, 92 silvers and 100 bronzes. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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