S$315K awarded to Shanti Pereira after stellar wins at SEA, Asian Games

SINGAPORE: What a year it’s been for Ms Veronica Shanti Pereira. Not only is her place as Singapore’s Sprint Queen firmly established, but given her wins in major regional competitions, she’s become recognized as one of the fastest women in Asia.

In recognition of her remarkable feats this year, on Wednesday night (Nov 29), Ms Pereira took home S$315,000 for the two golds she brought home at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia in May, as well as the more recent gold and silver medals she won at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Nearly S$2.3 million was given to Singapore’s Asian and SEA Games medal winners at the Singapore National Olympic Council’s (SNOC) Major Games Award Programme (MAP) presentation at Timbre+ One-North. Ms Pereira’s award was the biggest of the night.

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and Ministers Edwin Tong and Grace Fu were present at the awarding. Mr Teo wrote about the athletes in a Facebook post. “Their passion and determination is an inspiration to all of us! Many thanks also to families, friends, coaches, training partners, and sponsors for supporting our athletes.”

SNOC said in a Nov 29 press release that there was a total of 121 medallists who received awards. S$595,000 was given for the SEA Games, while S$1,700,000 was given for the Asian Games.

In Cambodia in May, Singapore’s 554-strong team brought home 51 gold, 43 silver, 64 bronze medals, 8 Games records, 17 national records, and set 40 personal best records. Ms Quah Ting Wen won the coveted Most Valuable Player (Female) distinction, bringing home 6 gold and 2 silver medals from Cambodia.

Notably, 229 of the athletes who competed at the SEA Games in May were first-timers, responsible for 57 medals out of the 158.

In Hangzhou, Team Singapore was 427 strong and competed in 32 sports. The team brought home 3 gold, 6 silver and 7 bronze medals, 6 national records, and set 14 personal best records. Among the country’s Asian Games athletes, 334 were first-timers.

“The MAP rewards medallists of the SEA, Commonwealth, Asian and Olympic Games. Sponsored by the Tote Board, medallists receive cash in amounts based on the major Games event and medal won. It is mandatory for athletes to give a percentage of their MAP awards (20 per cent) for the SEA Games and the Asian Games) to their respective National Sports Associations for future training and development,” SNOC noted.

Read also: Shanti Pereira: I want people to know I’m not done yet  /TISG