KJ: Cyclists, parents aware how much they stood to win

Youth and Sports Minister defends meagre sums awarded to children who won first to third spots in cycling programme, saying it is more important to encourage children to take up cycling.

PETALING JAYA: Khairy Jamaluddin today defended the “meagre” prize money awarded to children who took part in a cycling programme, arguing that participants were aware of how much they stood to win.

In a Facebook post, the youth and sports minister said that those who signed up for the event were informed about the reward they would take home if they won the first (RM30), second (RM20) and third prizes (RM10).

The amount, he noted, was also posted on the website of the Junior Cycling Malaysia (JCM).

“So there should be no issue of them not knowing how much they stood to win or that they were not appreciated.

“Parents who signed their children up for the initiative did not have money on their minds, but wanted to support their children’s interest in cycling.”

However, he admitted that the prize money was indeed meagre.

Khairy went on to say that for JCM, what was more important was to spur interest in the sport. It will also allow children to gain experience and instil the desire to win.

The programme, he stressed, had nothing to do with monetary incentives.

Khairy said the ministry wanted children to grow up with the right values and attitude.

“Yes, money is important and if they do well in sports, they will be financially rewarded later on, but let’s not spoil them when they are very young.

“Let them want to win for the sake of winning, to be the best not because of money but because of determination and honour.”

Earlier today, netizens flayed the Youth and Sports Ministry after a photograph of winners holding mock cheques for RM30, RM20 and RM10, in one of the categories, with Khairy in the centre, made the rounds on social media.

The event, aimed at identifying young cycling talents, was held on April 9 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang.

The photograph was also shared in the “Saya Sayang Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad” Facebook page. It has received brickbats from netizens.