Kuala lumpur: Retail chain 99 Speed Mart Sdn Bhd has contributed top-up cash rewards amounting to RM107,000 to five Malaysian medal winners at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. She announced that para badminton ace Cheah Liek Hou and national powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin each received an additional RM35,000 for winning gold medals in Paris 2024.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, athletics stars Datuk Abdul Latif Romly and Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli each received RM15,000 for winning silver, while their teammate Eddy Bernard was awarded RM7,000 for his bronze medal achievement at the prestigious Games. Hannah emphasized that the contribution by the retail chain was not from the three companies initially announced by the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM), which was previously reported to have promised RM60,000 to gold medal winners at the 2024 Paralympics last year.
Hannah clarified that 99 Speed Mart was not involved in the original promise but stepped in after learning about the issue. The company contacted her office to resolve the matter and ensure the athletes received the amount reported in the news. She expressed her gratitude to 99 Speed Mart for their intervention and urged athletes to focus on future achievements.
She also highlighted the importance of adopting the Road To Gold sponsorship template to ensure that promised incentives from sponsors are formally documented. This suggestion was directed not only at PCM and the Olympic Council of Malaysia but also other athletes and sports bodies.
Liek Hou had recently expressed his disappointment on social media, claiming PCM failed to deliver the promised RM60,000 cash incentive after his gold medal win at the 2024 Paralympic Games. The delay in payment led to a public dispute, with PCM considering legal action and suspension against the athlete. However, Hannah confirmed that no suspension would be imposed, as Liek Hou’s demand was related to an outstanding sponsorship pledge rather than a disciplinary breach.