Calls grow to recognise Singapore SEA Games medallists amid concerns over silver and bronze incentives

SINGAPORE: Following Singapore’s strong performance at the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand, renewed public dabate has emerged over whether only gold medallists should receive cash incentives, with calls for silver and bronze medallists to also be recognised. Singapore finished fifth overall at the Games with a total of 202 medals, comprising 52 golds, 61 silvers and 89 bronzes. The tally marked an improvement from the previous edition and reflected gains across several sports disciplines. However, the achievement has reignited scrutiny of Singapore’s Major Games Award Programme (MAP), which governs cash incentives for athletes competing at regional and international competitions.

Social media post flags SEA Games reward gaps

An Instagram post by user @machaspieze93 on 19 December 2025 brought renewed attention to the issue. The user shared a table attributed to the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), comparing MAP incentives between 2022 and 2024. According to the table, only gold medallists at the SEA Games appeared eligible for cash rewards, with payouts of up to S$10,000. Silver and bronze medallists were listed as receiving no monetary incentives. “Silver and bronze medals have no reward. Are you kidding me? This is some b**lshit,” the user wrote, while tagging SNOC and urging the organisation to provide fair compensation for athletes who represented Singapore. The Online Citizen (TOC) has reached out to the SNOC to clarify whether the 2022–2024 MAP applies to the 2025 SEA Games and whether cash incentives are provided for silver and bronze medallists at the regional Games, and will provide an update if a response is received.

Questions over incentive structures

The post also referenced Singapore’s widely publicised S$1 million payout for Olympic gold medallists, which is considered among the highest globally. However, the payout applies only to an athlete’s first Olympic gold medal, with subsequent wins receiving no additional monetary reward. The MAP serves as an incentive scheme for medal winners at the SEA Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Olympic Games. Award amounts differ across competitions and vary depending on whether medals are won in individual events, team events or team sports. The awards are sponsored by the Tote Board Group, which comprises Tote Board, Singapore Pools and the Singapore Turf Club.

Public reactions divided

Comments responding to the Instagram post, as well as discussions on platforms such as the 8Days Facebook page, reflected mixed public sentiment. Some commenters argued that limiting incentives to gold medallists undermines the sacrifices made by athletes who achieve podium finishes. “Only gold gets rewarded? Then silver and bronze are just decoration?” one comment read. Others said all medallists trained just as hard and deserved recognition for representing Singapore. Several users suggested that allocating cash incentives to silver and bronze winners would serve as encouragement and appreciation for athletes’ efforts, particularly at a regional competition like the SEA Games. Others disagreed, arguing that taxpayer funds should not be used to reward non-gold medals at regional competitions. Some said monetary incentives should be reserved for higher-level events such as the Olympics. In response, @machaspieze93 stated that those who have never competed may not fully understand the physical and mental challenges faced by athletes.

Parliamentary context on athlete incentives

The issue of athlete rewards has previously been discussed in Parliament. During a sitting on 16 October 2024, a motion titled Olympic and Paralympic Achievements was debated, focusing on how Singapore honours its Olympians and Paralympians. Then-Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong addressed the issue of cash incentives for major Games medals, stating that the government leaves such rewards largely to the private sector. This approach allows public funding to prioritise athlete development and support a broader base of sports. While acknowledging that Singapore’s Olympic gold payout is among the highest globally, Edwin Tong noted that such incentives do not address wider aspects of sports development. Associate Professor Jamus Lim of the Workers’ Party questioned why financial parity between Olympians and Paralympians had not been achieved, despite both schemes being funded through the Tote Board. In response, Edwin Tong said athlete rewards are determined by non-government bodies such as SNOC and the Singapore National Paralympic Council. He added that Singapore’s payouts remain comparatively generous, citing lower incentives offered in countries such as Canada. Several SEA Games nations adopt tiered incentive systems that reward all medallists. For example, Filipino athletes are set to receive ₱300,000 (US$5,109) for gold medals, ₱150,000 for silver, and ₱60,000 for bronze at the SEA Games.