National para-shuttler Cheah Liek Hou is banking that he will continue to receive sufficient funding to compete at the 2024 Paralympics after the Malaysian won his 11th consecutive title in Dublin, Ireland.
Cheah again reigned supreme in the Standing Upper 5 (SU5) category on Sunday after he defeated Japanese second seed Taiyo Imai 21-17, 21-16 to win the 2022 Four Nations Para Badminton International..
Cheah had overcome the same opponent to win his 10th title in a row at the Dubai Para International Championships in May.
While the 34-year-old continued to excel to maintain his unbeaten streak since 2019, Cheah was aware he must continue getting sufficient financial backing if he wants to defend his Tokyo Paralympics gold medal.
"I hope there will be more sponsors coming in to support my journey towards the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Para-badminton tournaments do not offer any prize money compared to able bodied events, so there is a lot of difference.
"I cannot depend on the National Sports Council only. So I do not have a choice sometimes, if there isn't enough funding I won't be able to play in some events," Cheah told Stadium Astro.
The world number SU5 para-shuttler made headlines in April after posting on social media he had to fund his own trip to compete at the Brazil Para International Badminton, which he duly won.
Cheah's posting got the attention of the nation, leading to Sports Minister Faizal Azumu clarifying that the para-shuttler and his coach Rashid Sidek had to travel at their own expense after an outside party withdrew their sponsorship at the last minute.
Cheah would next compete at the 11th Asean Para Games (APG) in Solo, Indonesia from July 30-August 6.
"The APG will be a big challenge because Dheva Anrimushti will also be there. I hope to keep up this form and stay consistent and also injury free," he added.
Cheah had beaten Anrimushti to win badminton para gold medal in Tokyo, where the sport made its Paralympic debut.
Cheah had also displaced the Indonesian as world number one earlier this month.
