MUAR: The RM500,000 reward accorded to national badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei for winning a silver at the London Olympics should not be disputed, said Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Razali Ibrahim.
He said the reward, which was presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday, was a fitting tribute to Chong Wei for bringing glory to the nation by clinching an Olympic silver.
“It is also in recognition of his sacrifice for taking badminton to greater heights,” he told reporters after attending the Muar Umno Youth division delegates’ meeting here yesterday.
Razali said all parties should encourage Chong Wei to remain active until the next Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 2016.
“We are still banking our hope on Chong Wei unless other players show an exceptional ability like him in the next few years,” added Razali.
On Malaysia’s preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland in 2014, he said continuous efforts were being made by the ministry and sport associations to prepare athletes for international meets. –- Bernama