Malaysian student medallists at the Southeast Asian Games and the Taipei 2017 Universiade have been financially rewarded ©Kuala Lumpur 2017

The Malaysian Government has rewarded student athletes who claimed medals at the recent Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur and the 2017 Summer Universiade in Taipei.

The country's Higher Education Ministry set aside RM292,500 (£52,000/$69,000/€58,000) as prizes for athletes from higher learning institutions (IPT).

Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh claimed the funds were not only a prize but also a sign of appreciation for "bringing honour to the country".

Idris also believes the rewards are required to "create greater excellence in sports as well as academic achievement".

"The achievements of athletes in these two championships have been very encouraging," he said, according to the New Straits Times.

"The national contingent at Taipei 2017 won three silver and four bronze medals in badminton and wushu, which was the best haul for Malaysia at a Universiade.

"Apart from that, IPT athletes also contributed to the Malaysian contingent at Kuala Lumpur 2017 with 136 medals or 42.1 per cent of the overall 323 medals won by the country."

Malaysia won seven medals at Taipei 2017 ©Taipei 2017
Malaysia won seven medals at Taipei 2017 ©Taipei 2017

IPT athletes received RM2,000 (£353/$473/€400) for a gold medal, RM1,000 (£176/$236/€200) for a silver and RM500 (£88/$118/€100) for a bronze.

Sin Li Jane reportedly received the highest bonus of RM7,000 (£1,200/$1,600/€1,400) after winning three golds and one silver medal in bowling at the Southeast Asian Games.

Malaysia dominated the medals table on home soil, finishing top by a distance.

They claimed 145 golds, 92 silvers and 86 bronzes to finish on a total of 323.

They were not so successful at Taipei 2017 and finished 46th overall after winning three silvers and four bronzes.