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RM2mil boost for London 2012 onslaught

KUALA LUMPUR: National cyclists will get financial backing to help them prepare for a medal onslaught in the 2012 London Olympics.
Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) in a partnership with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) will allocate RM2mil over the next 36 months to help the top track cyclists, among them Azizul Hasni Awang and Josiah Ng, and the other riders to realise the goal.
The money will be used to send cyclists to compete in the World Cup, continental and world championships leading up to the London Games.
YSD and MNCF signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the initiative to produce the first Malaysian medal winner in Olympic cycling.
New year gift: MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamed (third from right) receiving the mock cheque for RM2mil from Yayasan Sime Darby chairman Tun Musa Hitam in KL yesterday. Looking on are OCM deputy president Datuk Dr. M. Jegathesan and the cyclists.
 
YSD were represented at the signing ceremony by their chairman, Tun Musa Hitam, while the MNCF deputy president and chairman of the track cycling committee, Datuk Naim Mohamed, represented the national association.
Tun Musa said that YSD supported the initiative to help Malaysian cyclists fulfil their potential to be world beaters.
“We believe Malaysian cyclists can be Olympic medal winners based on their performances in several world cycling events. We hope our sponsorship will spur them to achieve greater heights in world cycling,” he said.
Azizul won the keirin gold in the Beijing leg of the World Cup last Saturday to emerge as the overall champion for the second consecutive season.
Azizul beat a top class field of professional cyclists in the final, including reigning keirin world champion Maximilian Levy of Germany and reigning 200m sprint world champion Gregory Bauge of France.
Naim said: “We are honoured that the MNCF were chosen by YSD to be one of their partners in sport and our association with Sime Darby Group will only spur us to achieve greater success.”
At the signing ceremony, seven Malaysian cyclists were presented with track suits to be used during international championships. They were Azizul, Josiah, Mohd Rizal Tisin, Mohd Edrus Mohd Yunus, Junaidi Nasir, Mohamed Hafiz Mohd Sufian and Fatehah Mustapa.

By AFTAR SINGH


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