KUALA LUMPUR: The triumphant national men’s road race cycling squad at the just-concluded Cambodia SEA Games have a good chance of getting an automatic ticket to the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China this September.
Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Abu Samah Abd Wahab said the national body and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have decided that cyclists must do well at the 2023 Asian Cycling Championship (Road Race) (ACC 2023) in Thailand from June 7 to 13 to be eligible for the Asian Games.
“The men’s elite squad have almost met the conditions set by MNCF and OCM. This matter (2023 Asian Games participation) was discussed at last Tuesday’s Exco meeting.
“They won gold at the SEA Games. Now MNCF and OCM want them to excel at the ACC Road Race in Thailand next month,” he said in a statement issued by MNCF.
He said MNCF secretary-general Ahmad Arif Astaman had been named as the team manager for track cycling events at the Asian Games.
Abu Samah does not rule out the possibility of MNCF again using the services of riders and coaches from Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team (TSG) and Team Sapura Cycling (TSC) to strengthen the men’s road race squad for Hangzhou.
He said if they qualify, a tough challenge awaits them as they will be up against established professionals from Japan, Iran, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Taiwan, China and Hong Kong.
“Malaysia have not competed at the Asian Games for a long time. So, this time we need to make thorough preparations,” he added.
He said based on their SEA Games performance, Malaysia were seen as capable of putting up a meaningful challenge if they field their strongest squad, including the mass start gold medallist in Siam Reap, Nur Amirul Fakhruddin Mazuki. – BERNAMA
