M’sian Paralympic Medallists are Receiving Less Reward Money Than Promised as Sponsor Backed Out

Malaysian Paralympians who won medals during the 2024 Paris Paralympics are reportedly receiving less reward money than what they were promised.

This comes after Paralympian Cheah Liek Hou took to his Instagram Story to call out the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) for holding up the RM60,000 cash incentive he was promised for winning gold during last year’s international event.

According to a report by New Straits Times, PCM explained that the Paralympians will still receive their reward money, though the amount will not be the RM60,000 that was promised as a sponsor backed out due to financial problems.

“To be clear, the incentives are not directly from PCM but from sponsors we approach,” PCM secretary-general Datuk Subramaniam Raman Nair explained.

Where does the incentive money come from

Previously, PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin shared that gold medal Paralympians will receive RM60,000, with 3 companies funding RM20,000 each.

“There were initially 3 companies that agreed to sponsor the incentives for the Paris Paralympics. Unfortunately, one of them has withdrawn as they are facing financial issues. Another company has already paid out RM10,000 to each gold medallist, RM5,000 to each silver medallist and RM3,000 to each bronze medallist,”

“This was done back in April. The other company, which is a foreign firm, will pay RM15,000 to gold medallists, RM10,000 to silver medallists and RM5,000 to bronze medallists,” Datuk Subramaniam added.

The handover of the incentive money from the foreign company will be arranged this Thursday during an event at the Paralympic Centre of Excellence, due to the company’s boss wanting to be present for it, but having not found a suitable time to travel to Malaysia.

“We have now asked the company for permission to go ahead with the event as this has become an issue here.”

What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

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