The victorious men's 4x400m quartet have been treated like second class citizens by the Malaysia AAU (MAAU) as they didn't have time to celebrate their win nor given the chance to receive their gold medals as they had to fly home before the medal presentation ceremony yesterday.
S. Kannathasan, P. Yuvaaraj, Schzuan Ahmad Rosely and Muhammad Yunus Lasaleh winning the 4x400m gold would probably remain the most endearing image for Malaysia in this edition of the Sea Games but they had to miss their big moment -- the medal presentation ceremony -- which was held when the athletics programme began at 4pm (5pm in Malaysia) yesterday, as they had to catch a 12.45pm flight for Kuala Lumpur.
"We worked so hard for this and we want to receive our gold but we have to fly home tomorrow (yesterday).
"I wish we could stay just one more day, can we?" lamented a very disappointed Yunus on after the victory on Monday night.
Yuvaaraj said: "We have won the gold but are unable to receive our medals. It is really frustrating but at least we are glad to have proved several people wrong.
"We just wanted to show them what we are capable of and that's what pushed us to win the gold."
MAAU also didn't send their coach K. Jayabalan with them.
He was the one who fought till the eleventh hour for them to make the trip, and all four came to Palembang under Category B.
MAAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and deputy president Karim Ibrahim were in Palembang and could have got the four winners booked on a later flight if they wanted to.
Shahidan had promised to reward the gold medallists but the best reward he could have given Kannathasan, Yuvaraaj, Schzuan and Yunus was the chance for them to receive their gold medal.
However, it didn't happen and team manager Rajemah Sheikh Ahmad was also disappointed that she was unable to help them despite trying her best to get the flight date changed.
"I tried to change their return date to tomorrow or to Thursday but there were no seats available as the athletes from various countries are leaving Pelembang over the next few days. It is very sad to see them leaving without their gold medals," said Rajemah.
"We will hand over the medals to them when we arrive back in Kuala Lumpur and we will have to have a special do to make up for it."
Rajemah added: "Their inclusion (for the Games) took so long but before I left KL, I had promised that I will register their name for the 4x400m and fortunately, MAAU agreed to send them."
The other athletes left Palembang late last night after the track and field events ended.
MAAU has never failed to attract controversy but this is probably one of its worst blunders.
This sad episode shows the scant respect the association has for its athletes.
Read more: SEA GAMES: They don't deserve such treatment - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/sea-games-they-don-t-deserve-such-treatment-1.6596#ixzz1dqAuRO5C
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