PETALING JAYA – As children, Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli and Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi were bullied for their disabilities.
Today, they stand at a pinnacle.
They are millionaires, thanks to the National Sports Council scheme which rewards Paralympic gold medal winners with RM1 million (S$332,658) each.
And now, Naza Corporation Holdings is giving each a residential suite and an all-new Kia Sportage for their historic win in Rio de Janeiro.
“The shareholders are proud of our Malaysian Paralympians. Being a home-grown company, Naza will further reward our champions with a residential suite at Trion 888, Equine Park in addition to an All New Kia Sportage each,” said the company’s chairman and chief executive officer Nasarudin Nasimuddin in a statement yesterday.
Read also: Malaysian Paralympians to get equal rewards as Olympic athletes
Trion 888, located at Equine Park, Seri Kembangan, and priced at RM350,000, is developed by Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd, the property arm of Naza Corporation Holdings.
The 450 sq feet residential suitehas a swimming pool, multi-purpose room, gymnasium, changing room, lift, laundry facilities and a surau. The development project is targeted to be completed by 2017.
SM Nasarudin, who is also the Paralympics Council of Malaysia president, said since it is his first year helming the council, the achievements in Rio had not only inspired other athletes but all Malaysians.
“Our Malaysian Paralympians have showed their mettle despite the odds. This is how we show Malaysia Boleh!” he said.
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He said the company had always been committed to sports. This year, it sponsored the biggest international women’s squash competition, the Naza-PSA World Women’s Squash Championship.
“We will also be the platinum sponsors of the upcoming KL SEA Games 2017,” he said.
Group executive chairman and Naza TTDI group managing director SM Faliq SM Nasimuddin said it was proud to be part of the group’s initiative to support and reward the success of our Paralympic athletes.
“We decided to reward them with the unit as it is designed for the lifestyle of the younger generation, a group that our athletes are in,” he said.
Ridzuan won the nation’s first ever gold medal at the Paralympics in stunning fashion in the men’s T36 100m dash. Ziyad later added one more by winning the men’s F20 shot putt event with a new world record.
Their former bullies can only be green with envy now.
