A long-standing injustice in Malaysian sports is finally being resolved. Malaysia Athletics (MA) said that eight former athletes who were named Sportsperson of the Year between 1966 and 1982 will soon receive their promised RM5,000 awards. The issue, which has been pending for so many years, has sparked a new debate in the sports world.
Officials have recently contacted the former stars directly. Although the announcement has come late, it has been a source of mental relief for many. It is being seen as an important step towards justice in the sports world.
Who is Getting the Honor?
The list includes legendary Malaysian runner Dr. Mani Jegathesan, who was the first Sportsperson of the Year in 1966. Olympian M. Rajamani was named Sportswoman of the Year in the same year and retained the honor in 1967. Sprint queen Junaidah Aman, high jumper Gladys Chai and race walker Khoo Chong Beng have all been recipients of the award since.
However, Gladys Chai wants the money to be paid if she is contacted, as she is currently abroad. All of them represented the country in the international arena. Yet none of them received the money they were entitled to.
Why the Delay
According to FMT, many athletes said that at that time the officials said that the money would be paid after retirement. Again, in some cases, no clear explanation was given about the matter. In some places, it was said that the money was not being paid to protect the amateur status.
In some cases, the prize money was used for the development fund of the relevant association. As a result, the athletes felt neglected. The question of respect became more important to them than money.
Old Wounds Exposed
Last year, the issue came to the public again through a report. It showed that apart from athletics, some of the best athletes of the year in cycling, hockey and badminton did not receive the same money.
After the publication of that report, several federations took the initiative to pay the money. Hockey star M Mahendran received his award after more than 50 years. Cycling legend Ng Ju Nang took the rest of the money. This also put pressure on other federations.
Symbolic Importance
MA officials recently met with eight former champions to confirm the payment. Many see the initiative as a psychological fulfillment and belated recognition. V Subramaniam said that while the amount may seem small today, its symbolic value is huge. Junaidah Aman also said that keeping promises is not dependent on time. The initiative also sends a positive message to future generations.
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