KUALA LUMPUR — The National Sports Council is ready to pull the plug on their support for Malaysian para-athletes if the ongoing spate with the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) reaches a point of no return.
NSC director-general Abdul Rashid Yaakub expressed his regret and said he would not stand by and tolerate baseless accusations directed at his officials.
This follows recent comments by PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin, who accused the NSC of interference and bullying, which he claimed contributed to Malaysia’s failure to meet the four gold medal target at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Megat also threatened to sever ties with the NSC and refrain from registering athletes for future Paralympic Games if the alleged interference continues.
Malaysia concluded their Paralympic campaign with two gold medals, won by para shuttler Cheah Liek Hou and para powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, both of whom successfully defended their titles from the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games.
The national contingent also secured two silver medals, earned by former gold medalists Datuk Abdul Latif Romly (long jump) and Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli (shot put), along with a bronze by debutant Eddy Bernard in the men’s 100m T44 race.
Speaking to reporters after a welcome reception for the Paralympians at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) last night, Rashid expressed his disappointment with Megat’s blatant accusations.
“It is not my intention to blow this matter out of proportion, but I must speak up and defend my officials, as well as the NSC against these accusations. We are merely government servants doing our job for the athletes.
“Every day without fail, the NSC met with the Malaysian CDM (Chef de Mission), and even the PCM president, during the Games in Paris. Every day we sat at the same table and shook hands. There was no issue.
“But when Malaysia fell short of the four gold medal target, suddenly it’s the NSC’s fault? Mind you, the four-gold-medal target was theirs (PCM) and not ours. We only supported them.
“Why can’t we be good losers?
“I find it very unfair because, from day one, the NSC has always supported our para-athletes to make sure they are in the best condition.
“In fact, my team and I came back with the athletes today to ensure everything was okay for them. Where is this person (PCM president) even? Why isn’t he on the flight coming back with them?” Rashid questioned.
Rashid, who assumed the role of director-general last year, said if tensions continue, the NSC may have no choice but to withdraw its support.
“This is new to me, so I can’t comment much yet. However, if (cutting ties) is what (Megat) wants, then perhaps the government will simply pull out their support for the para-athletes,” Rashid added. — September 11, 2024