PETALING JAYA : Hockey great M Mahendran has finally received the RM5,000 cash award he was promised more than half a century ago, as the row over unpaid cash incentives to past champions continues. Mahendran’s repayment is a milestone, but not the end of a long-running controversy that has left several of Malaysia’s sporting greats still waiting for what is theirs. 

Today, the 1972 sportsman of the year received the money from Kedah Hockey Association president, Rodhanizam Mat Radzi, on behalf of Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Subahan Kamal.

The repayment came three days after cycling legend Ng Joo Ngan, Malaysia’s 1970 sportsman of the year, was told he will receive the remaining RM4,500 of his award from the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) next week – 55 years after his honour.

Together, the two gestures have been hailed as long-overdue respect for the nation’s past champions. For Mahendran, the moment was bittersweet. He had earlier revealed that he received only RM170 of the award. Another RM2,000 was diverted to a non-sporting “heroes fund”, while the rest was meant to be shared among his 17 national teammates. Not one of them received a cent.

Mahendran, 77, said he was deeply grateful to Subahan and the MHC for honouring this commitment. “After so many years, it feels like justice has finally arrived.” He said the repayment was about more than money. “This is about dignity. For a long time, I thought our achievements had been forgotten. Today, I feel remembered.” Mahendran added that he hoped others still waiting would also be recognised.

“I am fortunate my story has come full circle. But many remain in the shadows and my wish is that they, too, will see this day. Subahan said the move was the right thing to do. “We must never forget the contributions of our past champions. “People like Mahendran carried the nation’s flag with pride when resources were scarce. Respecting them is respecting Malaysian sport.”

He stressed that integrity must guide sports administration. “This is not about paperwork or technicalities. It is about honouring promises. “If Mahendran had brought this to me earlier, I would have acted immediately. Doing the right thing should never be in question.” Subahan said MHC’s action was also about setting an example. “Young athletes must see that those who built the path before them are treated with fairness.

“That inspires confidence and pride. We owe our past athletes gratitude that cannot be measured in ringgit alone.” The developments follow an FMT exposé last week revealing that several winners of the sportsman and sportswoman of the year awards between 1966 and 1982 never received their promised cash incentive of RM5,000. The report has since gripped the sporting fraternity, prompting swift responses from some associations.

With Mahendran repaid and Ng set to receive his balance, momentum is building for others to follow. Badminton and bowling officials have also reached out to Sylvia Ng, a two-time sportswoman of the year, and JB Koo, the 1980 sportsman of the year respectively, to resolve their cases. Malaysia Athletics, however, which has nine affected winners, has so far only announced plans for a task force.

Between 1966 and 1982, the awards spanned badminton, cycling, hockey, swimming, football, bowling, tennis and basketball – alongside athletics. There may be more athletes whose cash prizes never reached them.