KUALA LUMPUR: Professional riders from Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) and Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) will be heading to the Thailand Sea Games (Dec 9-20) after all.
The two UCI continental squads have accepted an improved funding offer from the National Sports Council (NSC) which was negotiated on their behalf by the Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF).
MNCF president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said he was grateful that the two teams have agreed to continue their cooperation which has delivered three gold medals over the past two editions of the Sea Games (Hanoi 2021, Phnom Penh 2023).
“Following harmonious negotiations with all parties involved, I am pleased to announce that we will have continued cooperation from TSG, MPC and other national team riders for the Thailand Sea Games,” said Amarjit during a press conference here today (Aug 26).
“NSC has provided additional funding based on specific criteria and we thank them for their support and understanding.
“We believe this is the best combination of riders we have. It will boost our chances of defending our (road race) gold medal in Thailand.”
TSG and MPC had last month threatened to pull riders from the Sea Games squad if NSC did not meet their requests, which had been initially turned down.
The teams were disappointed as they have to spend a substantial amount of funds to prepare riders for the competition.
It is understood that TSG and MPC had requested RM250,000 each to prepare riders for the Sea Games. They have, however, accepted a lower amount, which has not been disclosed, from NSC following further negotiations.
TSG chief operating officer Nasiruddin Wan Idrus assured that his riders will give their full commitment.
“Most of the issues we had faced have been resolved amicably and although we have not received 100 per cent of what we asked for, we accept it and will give 100 per cent commitment,” said Nasiruddin.
“As one of the oldest professional teams in Asia, we accept this responsibility.”
MNCF also announced changes to the Sea Games road squad which now sees five TSG riders – Nur Aiman Zariff, Nur Aiman Rosli, Nur Amirull Fakhruddin Mazuki, Kee Zhe Yie and Wan Abdul Rahman Hamdan – included.
The number of MPC riders has been reduced from four to two – Syawal Mazlin and Zawawi Azman – while the two other riders in the squad are Police’s Ameer Kamal and St George Continental’s (Aus) Ren Bao Tsen.
Ameer has been brought in to boost Malaysia’s hopes in the team time trial event as he was part of the team that won gold in the discipline at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.
Though it was initially thought that Sayuti would serve as head coach for the Sea Games squad, MNCF have announced TSG’s Saiful Anuar Aziz as the head coach with Yusof Nasir as his assistant.
Yusof is currently the national development team head coach.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
