The Junior Cycling Malaysia (JCM) programme commenced last weekend with over 700 participants from the age of five to 19 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang.
The initiative was carried out by the National Sports Council and they will be working with the Education Ministry to boost participation and improve accessibility to the masses.
The prize money that was offered ranged from RM10 to RM300 for all age groups. The winners of the Under-9 and Under-11 category were awarded a measly RM30 cash prize, whereas RM40 and RM50 were awarded to to Under-13 and Under-15 age group respectively. The Masters Men category, which was for men within the age of 36 and 45, gave participants the chance of winning only RM300 if they finished the race in first place.
While the initiative is one that’s incredibly welcomed by everyone across the board, the ’embarassing’ cash prizes evidently enraged quite a number of people on social media.
Some of the questions raised include: “How does a nationwide event only offer cash prizes worth up to RM300 if you win a gold medal?”, “The Under-9 and Under-11 kids who came in third place, held a mock cheque worth RM10. Wouldn’t the cost of making a cheque of that size cost much more than the prize?”
Here are some of the reactions on social media:
bodoh punya junior cycling malaysia ni! buat event hadiah rm10. nak tukar tiub roadbike pun tak lepas la siak!
— Abang Gondrong (@kudestrong) April 13, 2016
Junior Cycling Malaysia: 1st prize under 11 dapat RM30 je. Huhuhuhu. Kalau RM100juta tu ada, maybe 1st prize dapat laa RM3000
— Nutella Pod is lyfe 🇲🇾 (@okedkama) April 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/adeebzul/status/720129478119264256
Junior cycling MALAYSIA first price 30rggit je? Baik main dota kalau gini https://t.co/Ty1OAldLms
— . (@fiikriadnan) April 13, 2016
Hina gila hadiah Junior Cycling Malaysia Under 9. Budak yg juara dapat RM30 je? #100Juta pic.twitter.com/T5mhCTQA9D
— Battinson 🇵🇸 (@spacenovamy) April 13, 2016
A.Wehhh aku menang junior cycling malaysia tempat pertama
B.Yeke berapa kau menang??
A.Rm 30.00
B.HAHAHAHAH pic.twitter.com/2Z1hxpT8cX
— yakyakyeay (@94apitaffiq) April 13, 2016
Other posts by Prashant Kharbanda