The two-time Paralympic men’s singles SU5 (physical impairment) gold medallist said his action was not only to protect his own rights but also those of fellow athletes and juniors.

“If I don’t voice this out, these things will happen to maybe my juniors or up-and-coming para athletes again and again.

“So, for me, I will try my best to represent all the para athletes to voice out and solve all the problems,” he told a press conference here.

He expressed hope that the issue would not recur and suggested that all sports bodies and athletes use the Road To Gold sponsorship template to ensure rewards promised by sponsors were formally documented.

The 38-year-old player, together with national powerlifting ace Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, today each received a top-up reward of RM35,000 from retail chain 99 Speed Mart Sdn Bhd for their gold medal wins at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Liek Hou said that with the additional contribution, he had now received the RM60,000 promised by PCM, after collecting RM25,000 from the council.

He had taken to social media last week to voice his frustration that gold medallists were still waiting for the RM60,000 cash reward promised by PCM more than a year after the Games.

At the same press conference, youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh said the issue was now considered settled after 99 Speed Mart stepped in with the contributions.