Latest news with #MNCF
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Boosting a sport's profile shouldn't be a problem anymore in this social media age
FOR a sport that has produced an Olympic medallist in Azizulhasni Awang and Asian champions in various disciplines, one would expect the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) to have no problem attracting sponsors. The platform for engagement to convince the private sector to contribute is already there but sadly, MNCF, or most of the national sports associations (NSAs) in the country, are still stuck in their old stubborn ways.
The Star
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Track to gold for Malaysian cycling at Thailand SEA Games seems less glittering
National track cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sharom showing their Bronze medal after winning the Men Elite Sprint Final at the Asian Track Championship 2025 at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negri Sembilan.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's eight-year wait for track cycling to return to the SEA Games looks set to end in disappointment, with three gold medal-winning events likely to be excluded from the meet in Thailand this December. The three events that are at risk of being scrapped are the keirin, team sprint, and team pursuit. Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said they were informed earlier this month by the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) that the events may be dropped due to poor response from participating nations. He said MNCF immediately contacted countries like Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines in an effort to persuade them to send riders, as a minimum of four countries is required for an event to be held. However, the final decision lies with the respective governments, which are bound by budget constraints and tend to prioritise athletes with stronger medal prospects. With the lack of entries in these three events, they are likely to be replaced by the men's omnium, women's omnium, and men's scratch race. "Track events set to return at this SEA Games include the men's team pursuit, men's team sprint, and men's keirin. However, when countries submitted their entries by numbers, there were not enough participants for these events. "For instance, Singapore are not sending any athletes for the keirin, while Indonesia are focusing on endurance rather than sprint events. This makes it difficult to meet the minimum participation requirements. "Due to this, there are now plans to revise the event schedule. If there aren't enough entries, the events cannot be held. So, there is a strong possibility that the keirin may be dropped from the SEA Games, but this has yet to be confirmed," said Amarjit. However, a final decision on whether the three events will be scrapped or reinstated will only be known when all participating countries meet with the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) next month. Malaysia have long been a powerhouse in all three events, which were last contested when Kuala Lumpur hosted the Games in 2017. Back then, the national squad dominated the track, sweeping 11 of the 13 gold medals on offer. Unfortunately, track cycling was excluded from the next three editions in Manila, Hanoi and Phnom Penh. At the same time, MNCF are considering a realistic medal target for the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand this December to match their performance at the Games in Cambodia two years ago. At that event, Malaysia successfully defended the gold medal in the road race through Nur Amirul Fakhruddin Mazuki, while also securing two silver and two bronze medals. 'Our target is to maintain or improve on the results from the last SEA Games. That should be our benchmark, and we should not aim lower than that,' added Amarjit.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Team sprint, keirin at risk of being scrapped from Sea Games
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is at risk of losing the opportunity to win at least two gold medals in track cycling at the Thailand Sea Games in December. Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said that the men's team pursuit, men's team sprint and men's keirin could be scrapped from the games due to a lack of participation. He added that there are plans to replace them with the men's and women's omnium events as well as a men's scratch race. "We were informed about this roughly three weeks ago. The Sea Games Federation (Seagaf) is expected to hold a meeting next month to make a final decision," said Amarjit when met today (May 28). "A number of nations have decided that they are not going to compete in these (three) events. "We need at least four nations to compete in each event, that is the requirement. "We can't force them to compete in these events because many of them do not have suitable riders for these disciplines. "And like us, their governments' are not keen to take part in events in which they are not strong and are unlikely to win medals. "Of course it is a disappointing situation for us, however, there is not much we can do at the moment." If the men's team sprint and keirin events are held, Malaysia will no doubt be the out-and-out favourites to win them as these are disciplines in which Malaysia is traditionally strong in. Track endurance events such as the omnium and scratch race can be competed in by road riders and thus there is no shortage of competitors. On a separate note, Amarjit said he is looking forward to the National Road Cycling Championships which is set to begin in Pagoh, Johor tomorrow. "I wouldn't be surprised if we see some new faces coming through, we are always on the lookout for new talent," said Amarjit. "The national championships can be a yardstick for us and guide us when choosing the road squad for the Sea Games this year. "Ultimately, the MNCF road cycling committee will make the decision (on squad selection)." The national meet is expected to be more exciting with a number of newer talents starting to bloom this year, including the likes of Terengganu Cycling Team's Wan Abdul Rahman Hamdan and Malaysia Pro Cycling duo Zahin Wahhi and Ahmad Syazrin Awang Ilah. The trio have all won races at the international level this season.
Malay Mail
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
MNCF open to providing equipment support for ‘Pocket Rocketman' in new professional cycling journey
KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 — The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) is always open to supporting national track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang should he require any assistance to compete in international championships. Its president, Datuk Amarjit Singh, said the federation has no issue providing the necessary equipment needed by Azizulhasni, who has just turned professional. 'If Datuk Azizul wants to use the bicycle, that is not going to be much of a problem. He also has his own bicycle, but if he wishes to use one provided by MNCF, we have no objection. 'We are willing to ensure that he will be given the relevant equipment and resources to help him train for the championships he wants to compete in,' he told reporters at the MNCF Hari Raya Open House yesterday. Amarjit assures The Pocket Rocketman that the federation would continue to support his participation in international events. Last Saturday, Azizulhasni announced his decision to turn professional and continue racing for the next two years under Team Azizul, following a RM200,000 individual grant awarded by the National Sports Council (NSC) until 2026. Among the Key Performance Indicators set by the NSC for the 37-year-old are preparations for the 2026 Asian Games and the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Following his decision, Azizulhasni said he still has his own selection of bicycles, but the best one for him remains the WX-R Vortex, which he used at the Paris Olympics last year. However, he said it would be up to the NSC and MNCF to decide whether to allow him to use that bicycle for training and competitions, given his new status as a professional. — Bernama
Barnama
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
MNCF Open To Supporting Azizulhasni With Equipment
KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) is always open to supporting national track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang should he require any assistance to compete in international championships. Its president, Datuk Amarjit Singh, said the federation has no issue providing the necessary equipment needed by Azizulhasni, who has just turned professional. 'If Datuk Azizul wants to use the bicycle, that is not going to be much of a problem. He also has his own bicycle, but if he wishes to use one provided by MNCF, we have no objection. bootstrap slideshow 'We are willing to ensure that he will be given the relevant equipment and resources to help him train for the championships he wants to compete in,' he told reporters at the MNCF Hari Raya Open House yesterday. Amarjit assures The Pocket Rocketman that the federation would continue to support his participation in international events. Last Saturday, Azizulhasni announced his decision to turn professional and continue racing for the next two years under Team Azizul, following a RM200,000 individual grant awarded by the National Sports Council (NSC) until 2026. Among the Key Performance Indicators set by the NSC for the 37-year-old are preparations for the 2026 Asian Games and the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Following his decision, Azizulhasni said he still has his own selection of bicycles, but the best one for him remains the WX-R Vortex, which he used at the Paris Olympics last year. However, he said it would be up to the NSC and MNCF to decide whether to allow him to use that bicycle for training and competitions, given his new status as a professional.
