WE are always full of praise for the winner, showering him/her with gifts in cash and kind. The loser is conveniently forgotten.

Congratulations to Datuk Lee Chong Wei on winning the silver medal in badminton at the Beijing Olympics. It is every Malaysian’s hope that he will win the gold medal at the next Olympics in 2012. He has been amply rewarded and, above all, bestowed a datukship as well.

On the other hand, it is sad to see that there is nothing in the air for three others in the Olympic squad, namely, Wong Choong Hann, Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah.

They have done well in the past decade or so. It is hinted that they will be hanging up their rackets before long; therefore, will it not be appropriate to grant them a monetary reward as a parting gift?