REWARD POLICIES FOR SEA GAMES MEDALLISTS: STRUCTURE, INCENTIVE LOGIC, AND SYMBOLIC FUNCTION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Abstract

Reward schemes for medal-winning athletes represent a prominent yet underexamined dimension of sport governance in Southeast Asia, particularly within the context of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). These schemes encompass financial bonuses, education opportunities, employment pathways, and public recognition, functioning not only as performance incentives but also as politically and symbolically embedded policy practices. Despite their visibility, limited comparative research has examined how reward systems are structured and justified. This study addresses this gap through a qualitative comparative analysis of SEA Games reward schemes across Southeast Asian countries. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with senior officials from National Olympic Committees and national sport governance bodies, supplemented by documentary analysis. The findings identify three interrelated dynamics: fragmented and nationally determined reward structures; a dominant short-term performance orientation shaped by event-cycle funding and political time horizons; and the symbolic deployment of reward schemes to signal national commitment and regional prestige.

By systematically comparing reward practices across Southeast Asia, the study contributes to regional sport policy scholarship and provides an empirical foundation for policy reflection and governance dialogue.