Para shuttler Liek Hou receives RM20,000 after record 9th world title

 A total of RM178,000 in incentives was presented to Malaysian athletes who won medals at the Thailand SEA Games and the Asean Para Games.

Para badminton ace Cheah Liek Hou, a gold medallist in the 2024 Paralympics, won his 9th world title in Manama, Bahrain, in February. (Bernama pic)

PUTRAJAYA:

 National para badminton ace Cheah Liek Hou has received a RM20,000 incentive after becoming the country’s most decorated world champion, surpassing the record held by squash legend Nicol David.

Liek Hou achieved the milestone after winning his ninth world title at the 2026 Para Badminton World Championships in Manama, Bahrain, in February.

Federal territories minister Hannah Yeoh said the incentive was presented by the federal territories department (JWP) and the federal territories sports council (MSWP) in recognition of Liek Hou’s achievement.

“Liek Hou has broken the record by securing the most World Championship titles, with nine consecutive wins. This is a source of pride for the federal territories,” she said.

“We hope he will continue to excel in para badminton,” she added at a ceremony in Putrajaya.

Yeoh said the government, through JWP and MSWP, also channelled RM282,000 in assistance to 81 sports bodies in the federal territories for 2026.

She said the assistance was a “trust fund” that sports bodies must manage with integrity.

Yeoh also called on sports associations to be more creative in seeking sponsorship and to practise cost-saving measures.

A total of RM178,000 in incentives was presented to athletes who won medals at the Thailand SEA Games and the Asean Para Games. - FMT