KUALA LUMPUR: Social media sites were abuzz today with criticism over the poor prize money presented to junior cyclists at the opening round of the Junior Cycling Malaysia (JCM) series on Sunday.
Pictures of cyclists receiving mock cheques from Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin became the centre of debate, with amount stated showing the winners receiving between RM10 to RM30 for their efforts.
However, it is learned that these were junior category winners. The elite category winners received between RM250 and RM1000.
Cycling groups were engaged in heated debates over the recently launched JCM since its first round at the MAEPS Exhibition Centre in Serdang on Sunday, mainly due to some newly introduced procedures and the RM7,600 total prize money package competed for by riders in 18 categories divided by age and type of bicycles.
JCM development director Graham Seers, when contacted, said he would look into the criticisms before making any statements.
"JCM will be posting a response on our website soon as I have not seen the queries posted," said Seers.
The JCM was launched last month as the Youth and Sports Ministry's effort to unearth new talents to be groomed into champions.
It has been reported that RM2 million had been allocated for the project by the Ministry.