SINGAPORE: Singapore's disabled athletes now have an added incentive to do well at the ASEAN Para Games next week.

A new financial reward scheme has been set up for disabled athletes who win medals at major international competitions.

The Athlete Achievement Awards are tagged at 10 per cent of what able bodied medallists receive. This is because fewer people participate in disability sports. So, gold medallists at the ASEAN Para Games will receive S$1,000.

The Singapore Totalisator Board is co-funding 80 per cent of the cost of the total awards for three years.

Disabled Singapore swimmer Theresa Goh said it would be nice if the monetary reward is the same as what the able-bodied athletes get.

Still, she is glad that disabled athletes will get some reward for their achievements.

Theresa, who holds two world records, will be among 57 Singapore athletes and 35 officials attending the ASEAN Para Games, which will be held in Korat, Thailand from 20-26 January.

It will be Singapore's largest contingent to the Games. The team leaves for Thailand on Thursday. - CNA/ir