SHAH ALAM, June 23 — Malaysia Pro Cycling cyclist Akmal Hakim Zakaria has emerged as Selangor International Bicycle Race (SIR) 2024 men’s category A champion today.
Muhammad Shahmir Aiman Abdul Halim of the Malaysian Armed Forces team came in a close second, while JBC rider Azli Najmi Zulkefli was third in the cycling event organised by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS).
Meanwhile, Zaleeka Zailan of TAC Opening A won the women’s event, beating second-placed Siti Nur Adibah Akma (ISportsXKasawarimotors Racing) and third-placed Guan Joo Yoke (Specialized PJ).
The champions received their respective jerseys and RM1,500 in cash, the runners-up RM1,000 in cash and a plaque, and the third-place riders RM750 and a plaque.
PKNS deputy chief executive officer (corporate) Suhaimi Kasdon said the cooperation intends to turn SIR into an annual event to hone more local cycling talent and prove its commitment to developing cycling at the local level, especially in Selangor.
“PKNS currently organises other sporting events like badminton, golf, and now cycling. It is part of efforts to promote Selangor as a booming sports tourism destination.
“We want PKNS to not only be known as a housing developer but as an organiser of international sporting events.
“We found a 15 per cent rise in foreign cyclists wanting to participate, but we had to reject some and stay with 1,000 participants like the previous edition as we wanted to maintain the event’s standards,” he said at the end of the race at PKNS’ headquarters ere today.
Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah had earlier flagged off 1,000 cyclists as they started their 145-kilometre race across highways, hill routes and PKNS housing projects including Kota Puteri, ljok town, before ending at Shah Alam.
Local and foreign cyclists from the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Germany took part in SIR 2024, which is supported by the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation, and Selangor Youth Community.
— Bernama
