PETALING JAYA: Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh has defended the picture she took with Thai shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who defeated men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia in the Paris Olympics semi-finals, saying the snapshot had been about good sportsmanship.
In a Facebook post, she also said that she was not about "winning medals at all costs".
“I am here to promote a healthy sporting culture for our youth. We are not sore losers. There is nothing insensitive about acknowledging our rival’s strength," she said.
Noting the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship, Yeoh added that sportsmanship was about accepting defeat and acknowledging rivals in a respectful manner.
She said the youth should be brave enough to appreciate "what is good", while parents should encourage children to participate in sports which teaches invaluable lessons about life.
"They become stronger when they practise good sportsmanship," she said.
Yeoh had received flak over her picture with Kunlavut, who went on to win the silver medal while Lee took home the bronze.
Some social media users accused her of being insensitive and tone-deaf, while others defended her, saying she had shown grace and sportsmanship.
Yeoh also uploaded pictures of her congratulating coaches Tan Kim Her and Jeremy Gan, both Malaysians, when their Japanese athletes won.
"It’s not about being a fan of Kunlavut. I am consistent about practising good sportsmanship and I represent Malaysia," she said, adding that there was a need to be honourable even after losing a game.
