PETALING JAYA: Two-time Paralympic gold medallist Cheah Liek Hou has questioned the Paralympic Council of Malaysia’s (PCM) decision to suddenly hold a reward presentation ceremony on (Thursday) despite him being abroad.
Liek Hou is currently in Beijing competing in the China Para Badminton International, which began yesterday and runs until Sunday.
Before departing for the tournament, the para shuttler had questioned PCM on when they would finally honour their promise of rewarding him and the other national athletes who bagged medals at the Paris Paralympics last August, after a year of waiting.
Liek Hou successfully defended his gold in the men’s singles SU5 event, while Bonnie Bunyau Gustin also clinched gold in the men’s 72kg powerlifting.
Ziyad Zolkefli and Abdul Latif Romly contributed silver medals in the men’s shot putt F20 and long jump T20 respectively, while Eddy Bernard bagged bronze in the men’s 100m T44 sprint.
“They wanted to hold the ceremony, but surely they should know the movements of athletes who are competing abroad? It’s not just me who is away from Kuala Lumpur at the moment, Bonnie is also in Sarawak,” said Liek when contacted.
Liek Hou also had to accept PCM’s explanation through their secretary-general Datuk R. Subramaniam that all medal winners would not be receiving the RM60,000 reward as promised, but a smaller amount instead.
This came after one of the three sponsors who had initially agreed to provide the rewards decided to pull out.
“What can I do if PCM have already announced it that way?
"At first, they said each company would contribute RM20,000, but after one pulled out, the amount was reduced.
"PCM should take responsibility because once such an announcement is made, they should have properly negotiated with the company beforehand.
"How can you first announce one amount, but later say the athletes will receive a different one?
"I’m worried that in the future, other companies that want to sponsor rewards may end up doing the same," added Liek Hou.
Earlier, Liek Hou got his campaign in Beijing off to a winning start when he teamed up with India’s Ruthick Ragupathi in the SU5 men’s doubles to beat South Korea’s Kim Gi-yeon-Lee Jeong-soo 21-15, 21-16 in their Group C match.
