SEPANG: National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Abdul Rashid Yaakub has hit back at Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) president Datuk Seri Megat Shahriman Zaharudin's comments on the country's subdued campaign at the just-concluded Paris Paralympics.
Rashid said athletes should be supported regardless of results and criticised Megat for pointing fingers when the targets weren't met.
He also dismissed allegations that the NSC interfered or "bullied" chef de mission Datuk R. Subramaniam, stating that all decisions were mutually agreed upon, with no objections from the MPC.
"I'm upset because it was the MPC that set the target. When it wasn't achieved, there's no need to blame anyone.
"NSC is not saying it's blameless, but MPC is also responsible. No one needs to point fingers," Rashid said, describing Megat's statement as reckless, extreme, and hasty.
He added, "On the night Abdul Latif Romly missed out on gold and took silver, there was a similar statement made, despite us meeting daily at the Sports Village.
"MPC set a four-gold target for the Games, but the Malaysian contingent returned with two golds, two silvers, and a bronze.
The golds came from men's singles badminton star Cheah Liek Hou (SU5, physical disability) and Bonnie Bunyau Gustin (72kg powerlifting).
Latif clinched silver in the men's long jump T20 (intellectual disability), while Ziyad Zolkefli took silver in the shot put F20 (intellectual disability).
Eddy Bernard secured a bronze in the men's 100m T44 (physical disability).
Rashid was responding to Megat's claims that NSC interference led to Malaysia missing its gold medal target.
Despite one fewer gold this year, Rashid noted the team's consistency, winning five medals as they did in Tokyo 2020 (three golds, two silvers) and Rio 2016 (three golds, one bronze).
Subramaniam also denied the "bullying" claims.
"As CDM, my mission was to take the team, complete the mission, and bring them home safely, which I did.
"We didn't lose the war, just a battle in Paris. There's always another day to fight.
"He added: "I believe what Megat is trying to say is that he wants improvements to the system." - Bernama