(Second from left) Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan receiving his mock cheque from OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria (third from left), while flanked by MA president Datuk Karim Ibrahim (fourth from left) and MA deputy president Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh.
PETALING JAYA: It came as a shock to some and a pleasant surprise to others, but the joy in their voices said it all.
A total of RM65,000 was distributed to nine former athletes, covering awards dating back as far as 1966.
Among the recipients was Dr Jegathesan, fondly known as “The Flying Doctor”, who received RM5,000 for winning the inaugural National Sportsman Award in 1966.
Now 82, Dr Jegathesan admitted he had almost forgotten about the incentive.
"It was a touching moment because they finally remembered our efforts and Malaysia’s successes in the past,” he said when contacted.
"It was 60 years ago, and amateur athletes in those days rarely claimed rewards.
"Honestly, so much time had passed that we had forgotten about it until the ceremony. It was a surprise, and it was kind of the association to recognise us."
Dr Jegathesan competed in three consecutive Olympic Games, Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964 and Mexico City 1968, during a distinguished career that saw him hailed as Asia’s fastest man.
Dr Jegathesan said he was encouraged by the progress of Malaysia’s current generation of sprinters, particularly Mohd Azeem Fahmi and Mohd Danish Iftikhar Mohd Roslee.
Azeem, 21, holds the national 100m record of 10.09 seconds, set at the 2022 World Junior Championships in Cali, Colombia.
Danish, just 18, is the national 200m record holder with a time of 20.73s, achieved at the recent SEA Games in Thailand, where he won bronze.
"I’ve been following their performances closely," said Dr Jegathesan, whose personal best in the 100m was 10.30s.
"They’ve shown great promise, and the future looks bright for Malaysian sprinting.
"Wherever I am, I will always look forward to watching them compete."
Former national sprint queen Datuk M. Rajamani, who was named National Sportswoman in both 1966 and 1967, received RM10,000. She said the recognition was deeply meaningful despite the long delay.
"This has been a very long wait, and the value of the money has depreciated, but I am grateful that MA still appreciate us," said the 83-year-old.
"My child wanted me to use the money for myself, but I plan to donate a portion of it to those in need."
Other recipients were Junaidah Aman (RM10,000 for 1971 and 1972), Datuk Rabuan Pit (RM10,000 for 1980 and 1982), Gladys Chai Ng Mei (RM5,000 for 1973), Khoo Chong Beng (RM5,000 for 1975), V. Subramaniam (RM5,000 for 1978) and Datuk Zaiton Othman (RM5,000 for 1982).
