PUTRAJAYA, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) is looking into the type of support required by national track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang to continue the next phase of his career, including in sports science, medical support and training.
Its Minister, Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, said they have sent a representative to meet the 2026 Commonwealth Games men’s keirin gold medallist to discuss in greater detail the cyclist’s requirements.
“I have discussed with him (Mohd Azizulhasni) regarding his plans and so on. From what I understand, he is stil waiting for the KBS and the National Sports Council (NSC) to consider his participation in the next sporting event.
“Yesterday’s meeting was also attended by Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) technical director John Beasley. So I think the discussion was very positive, and we will discuss the matter in greater detail. Once a decision has been finalised, we will make an official announcement,” he told a media conference after launching the Month of Friends of Democracy through the Kuasa Orang Muda (KOM) initiative here today.
He said this when asked about the MNCF’s proposal for the KBS and NSC to consider bringing the 38-year-old Terengganu-born cyclist back into the Road to Gold (RTG) programme.
The media previously reported MNCF president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill as saying that the federation would convey its request to KBS and NSC to allow Mohd Azizulhasni to continue his bid for another Olympic appearance at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA 2028).
Dr Mohammed Taufiq said the ministry’s hope is that Azizulhasni will continue giving his best for the country, with all his requirements, including technical matters and other related aspects, to be considered.
Mohd Azizulhasni recently ended a 16-year wait to become a Commonwealth Games champion after winning the men’s keirin gold medal at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, Scotland.
On Monday (Aug 3), the former men’s keirin world champion said a decision on whether he will compete at LA 2028 must be finalised before next month's Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, to be held from Sept 19-Oct 4.
Azizulhasni was previously under the RTG programme for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
-- BERNAMA