The recent controversy over unpaid cash rewards for Malaysia’s 2024 Paris Paralympic medalists have finally been resolved, thanks to 99 Speedmart. The retail chain stepped up with a special sponsorship worth RM107,000 for the five athletes who were shortchanged.
Paralympic athlete voices out dissatisfaction
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh confirmed that the contribution came after media reports revealed the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) had yet to fully pay the promised rewards. The issue gained attention when two-time Paralympic badminton gold medallist Cheah Liek Hou took to social media to voice his frustration about not receiving the RM60,000 reward owed to him.
Image credits: cheahliekhou4956
It then escalated when PCM president Datuk Seri Megat Shahriman disclosed in August last year that three companies had pledged cash rewards for the Paris Paralympics medalists. But after one sponsor pulled out, the council announced last Thursday that it could no longer pay the full amount.
As a result, the athletes’ bonuses were slashed by around 50%, leaving gold medalists Cheah Liek Hou (badminton) and Bonnie Bunyau Gustin (powerlifting) with just RM25,000 each, silver medalists Radhiif and Ziyad with RM15,000 each, and bronze medalist Eddy with RM8,000.
Athletes Finally Get Their Due
The payout included RM35,000 for gold, RM15,000 for silver, and RM7,000 for bronze, which was credited directly to the athletes’ accounts.
Yeoh clarified that 99 Speedmart wasn’t part of the original deal but came forward after reading about the issue.
Image credits: NST
“They were not the original sponsors, but became the ‘white knight’ to make sure our athletes still received the full amount,” she said, adding that the ministry now considers the matter closed so the athletes can focus fully on their training.
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