Former national sportswoman Marina Chin has called for the National Sports Council (MSN) and relevant national sports associations to publish an official record of how financial incentives under the National Sports Awards (ASN) were disbursed since the awards began.
According to Chin, the move would help clarify any issues regarding recipients not receiving promised cash rewards.
“If a review finds any shortfalls or legitimate claims, corrective action should be taken honourably,” the national athletics icon said in a statement today.
“I believe that with transparency, the contributions of the nation’s sporting legends can not only be recognised, but their sports legacy can also be restored and continue to be appreciated by future generations.”
Chin’s comments come after an FMT report revealed that at least 10 top Malaysian athletes, including hockey legend M Mahendran, bowling great JB Koo, badminton star Sylvia Ng, and nine athletics icons, never received the RM5,000 cash prize promised with the award between 1966 and 1982.
The youth and sports ministry has since responded to the report, saying that it will assist in resolving the issue.
The Malaysia Athletics has also set up a task force to investigate the issue, and the Malaysian National Cycling Federation has committed to paying the outstanding incentive to cycling icon Ng Joo Ngan, who will finally receive his full RM5,000 prize after being named Sportsman of the Year in 1970.
Chin also clarified that when she was named National Sportswoman in 1976 and 1977, the policies at the time prohibited amateur athletes from receiving direct cash rewards in order to keep their amateur status intact and ensure they were eligible for competitions.
“As such, financial allocations were channelled directly to the respective national sports associations for talent development, training programmes, and competition participation,” she said in a statement today.
Chin also said that the policy was fully understood by athletes at the time and was never questioned.
“Any issues regarding payments or subsequent policy changes can only be verified through official records from the MSN and the relevant sports associations,” she added.
However, Chin stressed that the matter is not a current issue for the youth and sports ministry, as it relates to past policies and practices.
