Malaysian para-badminton star Cheah Liek Hou has taken to Instagram to publicly criticize the Malaysian Paralympic Council (PCM) for failing to deliver on its promise of a RM60,000 reward for his gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
The event took place a year ago, but the reward has yet to be paid.
“Feels like being cheated,” says Cheah
In his Instagram story, the two-time Paralympic gold medalist expressed frustration, saying it feels like he has been “cheated” after waiting over a year for the reward.
The Paris Paralympics has been over for a year, but I still haven’t received the promised reward. It feels like being cheated. When they want results from us, they talk big. But when we deliver, we get nothing in return,” Cheah wrote.
He clarified that the issue has nothing to do with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) or the National Sports Council (MSN).
According to him, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had already disbursed the government’s Sports Victory Reward Scheme (SHAKAM) cash prizes by October 26, 2024, just a month after the Games ended.
PCM promises press conference next week
Responding to the criticism, PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman said that the council will hold a press conference next week to explain the situation, according to New Straits Times.
Back in August 2024, Megat announced that three companies had pledged to sponsor cash rewards of RM60,000 for each gold medalist, RM30,000 for silver medalists, and RM15,000 for bronze medalists from the Paris Paralympics.
However, as of today, the athletes have yet to receive any of the promised funds.
Back-to-back gold medals for Malaysia
Cheah first made history at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, winning the men’s singles SU5 (upper limb impairment) gold medal in badminton.
He then successfully defended his title at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, once again bringing pride to the nation.
With PCM now under scrutiny, all eyes will be on next week’s press conference to see if the long-delayed rewards will finally be paid.
