PETALING JAYA: Asian Championships silver medallist Fatehah Mustapa is in for another heartbreak this year as the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) have decided to send an all-male cast in their bid to make history at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games from Oct 3-14.
Eight track cyclists and three more riders for the road race event have been picked for the Games, meaning there is no place for Fatehah.
No passage to India: Fatehah Mustapa has been told to focus on the Asian Games. The 20-year-old who, like two-time World Championships silver medallist Azizul Hasni Awang, comes from Terengganu, has been asked to concentrate on the Guangzhou Asian Games instead.
With world and Olympic champions from Britain and Australia competing in the Commonwealth Games, MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad felt that it would be hard for Fatehah to make an impression.
Earlier in January, Fatehah experienced a big blow at the World Cup leg in Melbourne when she was relegated for a technical infringement before subsequently losing the bronze medal she earned in the keirin final.
“The competition is too strong for her at the Commonwealth Games, so it’s better for her to focus on the Asiad, which is about three to four weeks after that,” said Naim.
“With just the Asian Games to focus on, we hope she can be fully prepared to fulfil her potential.
“The Asian Games competition is still strong but if she can make the most out of training, there is still a chance for her to surprise with a medal.”
Hopes are high on World Championships medallists Azizul and Rizal to make a breakthrough at the Commonwealth Games this time.
Besides the duo, the others picked for the Games are Asian Championships silver medallist Hafiz Sufian, Mohd Edrus Yunus, Josiah Ng, Adiq Husainie Othman, Mohd Akmal Amrun and Junaidi Nasir.
The favourites to ride for the team sprint are Azizul, Josiah and Rizal.
Azizul is an automatic choice for the individual sprint and keirin but it is going to be a tussle for the remaining spot between Hafiz, Edrus and Josiah.
Hafiz and Rizal should be the two riders contesting the 1km time trial while World Junior Championships bronze medallist Adiq will go for the 20km scratch and points races.
“We have never even managed to get one cyclist in the final in the track disciplines, not to mention win a medal at the Commonwealth Games, so we will try to end the drought,” said Naim.
“Based on current performances, we are hoping to aim for two medals.”
The Olympic Council of Malaysia have also approved three riders for the individual road race.
“It is likely to be decided between Adiq, Anuar Manan, Amir Mustafa Rusli, Ahmad Haidar Anuawar and Zamri Salleh but this will be finalised later after studying the route conditions,” said Naim.
“The entries for the individual events will only be decided a month before the Games.”
Eight track cyclists and three more riders for the road race event have been picked for the Games, meaning there is no place for Fatehah.
No passage to India: Fatehah Mustapa has been told to focus on the Asian Games. With world and Olympic champions from Britain and Australia competing in the Commonwealth Games, MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad felt that it would be hard for Fatehah to make an impression.
Earlier in January, Fatehah experienced a big blow at the World Cup leg in Melbourne when she was relegated for a technical infringement before subsequently losing the bronze medal she earned in the keirin final.
“The competition is too strong for her at the Commonwealth Games, so it’s better for her to focus on the Asiad, which is about three to four weeks after that,” said Naim.
“With just the Asian Games to focus on, we hope she can be fully prepared to fulfil her potential.
“The Asian Games competition is still strong but if she can make the most out of training, there is still a chance for her to surprise with a medal.”
Hopes are high on World Championships medallists Azizul and Rizal to make a breakthrough at the Commonwealth Games this time.
Besides the duo, the others picked for the Games are Asian Championships silver medallist Hafiz Sufian, Mohd Edrus Yunus, Josiah Ng, Adiq Husainie Othman, Mohd Akmal Amrun and Junaidi Nasir.
The favourites to ride for the team sprint are Azizul, Josiah and Rizal.
Azizul is an automatic choice for the individual sprint and keirin but it is going to be a tussle for the remaining spot between Hafiz, Edrus and Josiah.
Hafiz and Rizal should be the two riders contesting the 1km time trial while World Junior Championships bronze medallist Adiq will go for the 20km scratch and points races.
“We have never even managed to get one cyclist in the final in the track disciplines, not to mention win a medal at the Commonwealth Games, so we will try to end the drought,” said Naim.
“Based on current performances, we are hoping to aim for two medals.”
The Olympic Council of Malaysia have also approved three riders for the individual road race.
“It is likely to be decided between Adiq, Anuar Manan, Amir Mustafa Rusli, Ahmad Haidar Anuawar and Zamri Salleh but this will be finalised later after studying the route conditions,” said Naim.
“The entries for the individual events will only be decided a month before the Games.”
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