KUALA LUMPUR – The BA of Malaysia (BAM) and the National Sports Council (NSC) are not at fault for national para shuttler Cheah Liek Hou funding his own expenses heading to the Brazil Para Badminton International 2022.
A source close to BAM and NSC said the governing bodies are not the ones to be blamed as Liek Hou’s Instagram post has been misinterpreted by netizens.
“The tournament in Brazil is not part of the seven tournaments scheduled for para shuttlers this year,” the source said.
Liek Hou did not participate in the recent Spanish Para Badminton International II 2022 in Victoria, Spain due to Covid-19.
“Although Brazil was not in the programme, he (Liek Hou) said he had secured a sponsor to fund the Brazil trip with his coach Datuk Rashid Sidek.
“Turns out, the sponsor pulled out at the last minute and Liek Hou’s post on social media was directed towards the sponsor, not NSC or BAM,” the source added.
However, the source also claimed that NSC have contacted Rashid Sidek after learning of Liek Hou’s situation.
In a post on his Instagram account, the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics men’s singles gold medallist said both he and his coach had to pay out of their own pocket for their trip to South America.
“First time flying this year after not competing for seven months since 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
“This time it is just me and coach Rashid heading to Brazil with our own pocket money, including all expenses in Brazil,” he said in his post.
Liek Hou added that the para tournament does not have a prize money like that of able (non-para) tournaments.
“So, this is really only expense, no income,” he added.
According to a report in Berita Harian, property developer and investment company BT Bina Group Sdn Bhd have gifted a condominium worth RM800,000 to Liek Hou and Rashid following the success of winning the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Meanwhile, the company announced a sponsorship of RM500,000 annually for a period of three years starting 2022 which will be shared by Liek Hou and Rashid as a token of support to help them prepare for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Liek Hou is the only Malaysian participating in the Brazil Para Badminton International this year, which is scheduled to take place from April 19 to 24. – The Vibes, April 18, 2022.
