By Martin Yee
KUCHING: The Sarawak Cycling team seems to be heading in the right direction when they not only win medals from the senior select group of elite riders but also won a medal from a rider from the junior ranks.
They showed they are in the sport for the long haul when they sent 11 participants with nine riders from the age group from as young in the seven-eight category to Under 16 age groups to compete in the recent BMX National Championships on July 3.
Apart from the seniors who won medals including a gold and bronze from their elite riders, they also won a bronze in the junior when Haziq Fathuddin bin Bashir from Team Sarawak won it in the boys 13-14 category race.
SEA Games athlete Mohd Faris Mohd Nashari became the new BMX National champion after finishing second behind the invitational Singapore Cycling Federation rider Mas Ridzwan Mohd Ali.
Another rider from the Kuala Lumpur-based training squad Yohanes Larenza Anak Meahan added a bronze in the same race.
The other age group riders competing in the competitions were Mohd Khaider Idzham bin Abdul Haziq (men youth 15-16), Haziq Farthuddin bin Bashir (boys 13-14), Muhd Amirul Amar bin Zahdur Rahma (boys 13-14),Muhd Lutfil Hasief vin Freddie, Ahmad Athollah bin Muhd Afif, Daniel Rayyan bin Abdullah Zaiwisman (all in 11-12), Muhd Ashwan Shah bin Muhd Afif (9-10), Ahmed Ali Aneesh Muhd Afif (7-8) and Ahmad Zharif Ahza bin Ahmad Zumry (7-8).
Team manager of the Team Sarawak Irawan Sudarsono was satisfied with the performance of the Sarawak riders both senior and junior said he was not only impressed by the first ever triumph in the men’s open but winning a medal in the 13-14 age group spell an upward curve for the Sarawak team.
“The team’s overall performance was encouraging and a morale booster not only for the athletes but with Sukma fast approaching, it is very timely with the team showing the best condition mentally and physically to face the challenge.
In young Haziq Fathuddin who won the bronze in the 13-14 group, he said he has shown talent and is showing progress after training with the elite team for a year.
“We hope that the results from the BMX champonships and the other positive results from the Track National Championships will put faith and help expedite the State’s investment for the team to remain competitive and elevate the team to the next level.”
Thanking the sponsors for the trip which include the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) the Sarawak Cycling Association (SCA) and from various parents of the athletes for financial support he said resources are always needed continuously to help the team.
He also emphasized on the need for a BMX track and facilities will also be vital to produce more grassroots riders and development of the sport in Sarawak.
