Liliyana Natsir (left) (JP/Seto Wardhana) - Tontowi Ahmad (Antara)

The recent gold medal achieved by badminton mixed-doubles pair Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir not only has boosted the country’s pride but also their fortunes as the duo have been showered with bonuses.

According to the latest accounts, the Djarum Foundation has gifted the pair each brand new houses worth Rp 1.5 billion (US$1.13 million). The houses are located in Griya Padma housing complex in Semarang, Central Java.

The new houses both occupy 162-square-meter plots of land and are both located close to one another. An Olympic logo will also be installed on each house to acknowledge both are the residences of Olympians.

Besides the new houses, Tontowi and Liliyana will also receive Rp 1 billion from the same foundation and their sponsor blibli.com. To complete their joy, a giant 65-inch television set will also be theirs, thanks to Polytron, an Indonesian electronics manufacturer.

“Grateful. [I] deeply appreciate the Djarum Foundation for all the attention we are getting,” Tontowi told badmintonindonesia.org.

“Praise the Lord. I hope this can boosts the morale of our juniors so they can follow our path and get more medals in the future,” Liliyana added.

She added that she would call her new house the “Olympic house”, saying that it would be a great memento for her elderly years.

Commenting on behalf of Djarum, Yoppy Rosimin said the bonuses were the foundation’s way of appreciation for the gold medal.

Coach Richard Mainaky said Tontowi and Liliyana earned every reward as they had worked very hard to bring the gold medal to the country.

“I have firsthand experience of their hard work and dedication. All the sacrifices they have made was so they could reach this point,” he said.

Earlier Liliyana was also given a new house by the North Sulawesi provincial administration. Following the provincial government, the Manado City administration has earmarked Rp 150 million for Liliyana. Furthermore, Regional Representatives Council deputy speaker Richard Sualang proposed Liliyana’s name be immortalized for one of the city’s prominent streets to honor her Olympic achievement.

The dynamic duo were beforehand given Rp 1 billion each from the Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) and that was beside the Rp 5 billion bonus and monthly allowance of Rp 20 million they got each from the government, which will be paid annually.

Air Asia has also granted Tontowi and Liliyana free tickets to all destinations for the rest of their lives.

Bonuses from individuals and other sponsors have yet to be disclosed.

The government’s Rp 5 billion reward was the second highest reward for a gold medallist given by their represented country after Singapore, who ranks first, with the $753,000 or nearly Rp 10 billion it gave to swimmer Joseph Schooling, who grabbed the only gold medal for the neighboring country.

The third highest reward was given by Azerbaijan with $255,000, followed by Kazakhstan with $230,000.

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