Skip to main content

CYCLING: MNCF yet to settle on Olympic-bound duo

THE Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) will have to wait until June 16 to finalise its selection of the two road cyclists for the Olympics, though it seems like its mind is already made up.

Champion Systems' Adiq Husainie Othman and Terengganu Cycling Team's Harrif Salleh are the front runners, but MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad said the federation is still awaiting reports on three others -- Drapac Pro Cycling's Amir Mustafa Rusli, who is currently in Europe with the Australian team, Terengganu Cycling Team's Zamri Salleh and Champion Systems' Anuar Manan.
But indications are that the trio's chances are, at best, slim.

The reason for the delay, despite the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) seeking confirmation before its final selection committee meeting on Monday, was due to both the MNCF council being in a stalemate over the matter and the federation's own selection committee was yet to meet.

"Our council couldn't come up with a decision in our last meeting and we're still awaiting reports from the respective coaches of the riders," said Naim.

"Thus far what we have are reports we got ourselves from results of the riders in races and some reports on Adiq Husainie, Harrif and Zamri.

"We're still awaiting reports on Amir and Anuar. We still have time as the deadline for registration with the London Olympics Organising Committee (LOGOC) is on July 9.

"But we're not going to wait that long. Our president (Abu Samah Wahab) has made prior arrangements with the OCM and we guarantee we'll submit our decision by June 16."

As of yesterday, Naim said the recommendations made to OCM virtually confirmed Adiq Husainie's spot, while Harrif is the MNCF's next best choice.

"We will base our final selection on the Olympic road race course and the fact that there is a difficult climb on the circuit which they will have to negotiate nine times during the race," said Naim.

"For that route, our best rider will be Adiq Husainie and he's also been our most consistent rider. We're almost decided on Harrif, but we still need to see reports on Amir.

"We are still considering Zamri, but on recent performances, the feeling is that Anuar is unlikely to make it unless we see some drastic changes to his form." By Arnaz M. Khairul

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...
2 comments
Read more

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...
1 comment
Read more

Chance to catch Messi and company

  FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan LIONEL Messi's presence alone could sell half the tickets despite reigning world club champions FC Barcelona's date with a Malaysian XI at the National Stadium on Aug 10 falling on the third day of Hari Raya. The much anticipated visit of the four-time European champions comes with expectations from fans who want a full star-studded line-up. "The summer will be a busy period with a lot of uncertainty with players moving away and coming in. "But yes, our plans are to bring our full team here," said FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Rossich was speaking at the announcement of the friendly match, which is part of the three-match FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013, which sees the giants also visiting China and Thailand. Also pre...
2 comments
Read more