INCENTIVES from the Malacca government await national men’s doubles shuttler Aaron Chia, following his success in helping clinch the world title at the 27th edition of the World Badminton Championships in Tokyo recently.

Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali said the state government never forgets the services of those born in the state who make Malacca famous in any competition at the national or international level.

“Even though the federal government has given (incentives), and so too MSN (National Sports Council), the Malacca government will also give incentives (to Aaron).

“We gave a medal last year to Aaron (for his previous successes),” he told reporters after officiating the state flag handover ceremony to the Malacca contingent to the XX Malaysia Games (Sukma) at the Al-Azim Mosque Auditorium in Malacca today.

Last Sunday, Aaron, who hails from Batu Berendam, Malacca and his partner Soh Wooi Yik, from Kuala Lumpur, created history as the first Malaysian players to win the world title, thus ending a 45-year wait, when they defeated seasoned Indonesian pair, Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan, 21-19, 21-14 in the men’s doubles final in Tokyo.

At the event, State Youth Development, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman VP Shanmugam was appointed as the Chef de Mission of the Malacca contingent to the biennial Games which will be held from September 16 to 24.

A total of 613 athletes, coaches and team managers will represent Malacca at this edition of the Games.

Sulaiman said the Malacca contingent was targeting 20 gold medals at the Games, an increase of two gold medals from the previous edition.

Among the sports targeted for gold are wushu, golf and muay thai and the state government will also reward athletes who bring home medals. – Bernama, September 3, 2022.