KUALA LUMPUR Oct 31 – Efforts to mould a world-class Malaysian hero in track cycling, like Josiah Ng, needs time and discipline, Asian Cycling Confederation president Datuk Seri G.Darshan Singh said.
He said investment in cyclists who could shine at the international level was a long-term venture which also depended on the discipline of the athletes themselves in terms of training and diet as well as the services of a good coach.
Darshan further said it was not impossible for Malaysian cyclists to excel in the sport, especially the track cycling event, as their current performance was commendable.
“The development of cycling is improving and many efforts have been taken to mould a team which can shine at the international level,” he told Bernama here.
He said Malaysia also had good facilities with velodromes in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.
“We will improve and upgrade facilities to provide the best training for the cyclists as well as organise various competitions for exposure. With the facilities and the exposure, it’s not impossible to create track heroes who can compete for medals as we also have good coaches,” he said.
Darshan said the project under the watchful eyes of Josiah and coach Mark Whitehead sponsored by the National Sports Council was a good step in preparing a national squad for major meets like the Commonwealth Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He said the two cyclists chosen to participate in the project, Mohd Sayuti Mohd Zahit and Mohd Rizal Tisin, should not waste the opportunity given them as not many cyclists could be picked for such training.
He said, however, that locally-trained cyclists were not off the hook and had to prove themselves to be chosen to represent the country in competitions.
Meanwhile, he said Malaysia’s hosting of the 2004 Asian Track Championship this Dec 10-12 was hoped to provide local cyclists the chance to test themselves against their foreign counterparts.
Utusan Malaysia
