Kuala lumpur: Paralympic badminton champion Cheah Liek Hou said he does not regret speaking out on the reward issue involving the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM), stressing that he was fighting for the rights of all para athletes. The two-time Paralympic men’s singles SU5 (physical impairment) gold medallist stated his actions were aimed at protecting not only his own rights but also those of fellow athletes and future para sports stars.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Liek Hou emphasized the importance of his stance, saying, ‘If I don’t voice this out, these things will happen to maybe my juniors or up-and-coming para athletes again and again.’ He expressed his commitment to representing all para athletes in voicing concerns and resolving issues. He also proposed that sports bodies and athletes adopt the Road To Gold sponsorship template to ensure that rewards promised by sponsors are formally documented.

Earlier, Liek Hou, along with national powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, each receive
d a top-up reward of RM35,000 from retail chain 99 Speed Mart Sdn Bhd for their gold medal achievements at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. With this additional contribution, Liek Hou confirmed he has received the full RM60,000 promised by PCM, having already been awarded RM25,000 from the council.

Recently, Liek Hou stirred controversy by claiming that PCM had not fulfilled its RM60,000 cash reward promise for his Paris 2024 victory, expressing his disappointment on social media. At the same press conference, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh declared the issue resolved following the intervention of 99 Speed Mart with the top-up rewards.