It’s about good sportsmanship, Malaysian sports minister tells critics after furore over post on Thai shuttler

KUALA LUMPUR -There is nothing insensitive about acknowledging a rival’s strength, Malaysian youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh said, as she addressed criticisms over her photos with Thai shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn.

Ms Yeoh had uploaded three pictures of herself with the Thai player

in an Instagram post on Aug 6, days after Kunlavut beat Malaysian badminton player Lee Zii Jia during the semi-finals of the men’s singles badminton match at the Paris Olympics.

This drew the ire of Malaysians, with many calling her post inappropriate and insensitive.

In a series of posts on her Instagram stories late on Aug 7, Ms Yeoh said Malaysians were not “sore losers”.

“I am not just the sports minister but the youth minister as well. I am not all about winning medals at all costs. I am here to instill a healthy sporting culture for our youth,” she said.

“We are not sore losers, and there is nothing insensitive about acknowledging our rival’s strength after the competition.”

Ms Yeoh was recently criticised on social media for posting photos with Kunlavut, saying she “enjoyed his style of badminton so much” and that he “has a new fan” in herself.

She further said in her Instagram stories posts that she saw how calm Kunlavut was when he defeated China’s Shi Yuqi.

“Young people, be brave to call out what is good. If you sit around fearing social media comments, you allow opportunities to display exemplary acts to slip by,” she said.

“Sports teach us invaluable lessons about life and this is why parents must encourage children to do sports. They become stronger when they practise good sportsmanship,” she added.

Ms Yeoh also highlighted the importance of understanding Olympic values such as respect and friendship, sharing a post from the International Olympic Committee to illustrate this point.

“When the competition has ended, after receiving your medals, you celebrate the winners.

“Sportsmanship is about accepting loss when all is fair and being able to acknowledge your rivals in a respectful manner,” she said.

Ms Yeoh also shared a photo of her congratulating badminton coaches Tan Kim Her and Jeremy Gan, both Malaysians, when their Japanese athletes won.

“It is not about being a fan of Kunlavut. I am consistent about practising good sportsmanship and I represent Malaysia.

“Be honourable even when we lose. So to our Asean neighbour Thailand, I say to you again congratulations. We should be lifting each other up,” she added. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK