KUALA LUMPUR – Athletes should never suffer due to misunderstandings or conflicts between sports officials or agencies.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said such following the ongoing dispute between Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin and the National Sports Council (NSC) after the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
“I don’t believe there is an issue. Otherwise, you would have heard it from the athletes.
“At the working level, the NSC collaborates very well with all parties. If you ask the athletes, they feel fully supported.
“If you look at their social media posts after Paris, they all thanked the NSC and the National Sports Institute (NSI) for their support.
“Athletes should never pay the price for any misunderstandings.”
Hannah also said that it is Megat who should take the initiative to resolve the matter.
“I believe that is the right way, and not through the media. We are all in the same place,” she added.
Earlier, Megat accused the NSC of interfering and bullying chef de mission Datuk R. Subramaniam, which he claimed contributed to Malaysia’s shortfall from its four-gold medal target in Paris.
He further threatened to sever ties with the NSC and refuse to register athletes for future Paralympic Games if the interference persisted.
Malaysia concluded their Paralympics campaign with two gold medals, through para-shuttler Cheah Liek Hou and para-powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who defended their Tokyo 2020 titles.
The national contingent also secured two silvers – earned by former gold medallists Datuk Abdul Latif Romly (long jump) and Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli (shot put) – and a bronze by debutant Eddy Bernard in the men’s 100m T44.
Separately, Hannah called for a larger budget to support Malaysia’s para-sports.
The Segambut MP disclosed that RM40 million had been allocated for the National Podium Programme in the 2024 budget, with RM10 million designated for para-athletes.
“When we sit down to develop policies, we recognise the challenges. We need creative solutions and a bigger budget to achieve more. Para athletes are truly inspirational to Malaysians.
“At present, the Youth and Sports Ministry offers tax exemptions, incentives, and athlete welfare programmes, but we need more funds to expand our efforts.
“We need to build this together, as we can’t do it alone,” said Hannah at the Para Athletics Mini Championships in Setiawangsa today. – September 12, 2024
