KUALA LUMPUR – National para-shuttler Cheah Liek Hou hopes the ongoing “cold war” between the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) will come to an end, stressing that harmony is crucial for athletes to stay focused on their goals.
Liek Hou, who secured the gold medal in the SU5 (physical impairment) category at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, emphasised that the ongoing conflict could disrupt future programmes and the success of para-athletes.
“We don’t want to create so many issues. We, as athletes, only want to focus on achievements and targets,” he said, Bernama reported.
“If we can produce positive results, why not retain the existing programmes or sit together to discuss ways to improve them?”
Reflecting on his victory in Paris, Liek Hou expressed gratitude for the unwavering support he received from the NSC and the National Sports Institute (NSI).
He credited their assistance with helping him prepare for the Games, noting that they fulfilled all his requests and allowed him to train at the NSC’s futsal court in Bukit Jalil for a month and a half before leaving for Paris.
“While there, I was able to focus on my training and even stayed temporarily at Casa 2 in the NSC.
“If there were any issues, I would head straight for physiotherapy (at the NSI) for rehabilitation and that certainly helped with my preparation,” he added.
His comments come amid a growing dispute between the NSC and PCM.
PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin recently accused the NSC of meddling in the management of the national contingent at the Paris Paralympics, claiming it contributed to Malaysia’s failure to meet their four-gold medal target.
He alleged that this interference prevented PCM officials from properly carrying out their duties, which led to the shortfall.
Malaysia ended their Paris campaign with two gold medals, two silvers, and one bronze. – September 11, 2024