KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — 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 June 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 Tuesday’s (May 16) 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.
MNCF secretary-general Ahmad Arif Astaman has been named as the team manager for track cycling events at the Asian Games.
Abu Samah did 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.
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 has not competed at the Asian Games for a long time. So, this time we need to make thorough preparations,” he added.
Based on their SEA Games performance, Malaysia was 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
