00:00The row over unpaid RM5,000 cash prizes for Malaysia's top athletes of the year between 1966 and 1982 has escalated, with athletics greats rejecting recent remarks by Marina Chin.
00:14Chin, Sportswoman of the Year in 1976 and 1977, said athletes then could not accept direct cash without risking amateur status and that prize money was channeled to national sports associations.
00:27M. Rajamani, the 1966 Sportswoman of the Year, said Chin was causing confusion, recalling then-president of the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union, Ghazali Shafi, promising her RM10,000 upon retirement.
00:40She said she never received it and became the black sheep after questioning.
00:45Race Walker v. Subramaniam, the 1978 winner, echoed Rajamani's sentiments.
00:50Ku Chong Beng, the 1975 winner, said the same promise made to him by Ghazali should be honored.
00:56Junaida Aman, the 1971 and 1972 winner, expressed disappointment at Chin's remarks and asked who she was to speak on their behalf.
01:05Zaitun Othman, the 1982 Sportswoman of the Year, said she never received her RM5,000 nor did Rabu Wan Pitt in the same year and thanked Rajamani, Subramaniam, and Chong Beng for fighting for all athletes' rights.
01:19Chin said she was sorry if she misunderstood others, adding that she was not speaking for anyone and urged the release of records to show how funds were used.
01:28The wider controversy erupted after FMT reported that at least 10 top athletes never received their awards, including hockey great Emma Hendren, cycling legend Ng Joong An, bowling champion JV Koo, and badminton icon Sylvia Ng.
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