SHAH ALAM, Dec 29 — Rio Olympics bronze medallist Azizulhasni Awang heard he might only be allowed to compete in just one event at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August.
The keirin world No 1 said he has yet to receive a formal letter from Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) on the Games and events he is to compete in.
“However, after Rio I’ve been told I can only compete in one event, either keirin or sprint,” Aizulhasni said.
“This is probably my last SEA Games and I’m eager to race in front of the home crowd and of course at our world-class National Velodrome in Nilai.
“I really hope to compete in both keirin and sprint, and I’m aiming for gold,” said Azizulhasni or the ‘Pocket Rocketman’ when contacted in Melbourne.
He said at the Korat SEA Games in 2007, he only managed to get a gold in the team sprint and two silvers in the 1km time trial and sprint respectively.
“I did not compete in the Laos Games in 2009 and Jakarta in 2011. Thus I’m really looking forward to performing on home turf,” he said.
“I also do not see any reason why I can’t compete in the Games. If they want me to give way to a newcomer, I say the newbies can always compete in the team sprint, just like me during my early days.”
National cycling coach John Beasley is also on the same wavelength as his charge.
He hopes Azizulhasni can compete in both keirin and sprint as the Kuala Lumpur Games would be his last appearance in the series.
“Azizulhasni will race at the SEA Games though he has been told he can only race in one event,” said Beasley.
“The first Games he competed in, was in Korat when he was a newcomer in the elite programme. Azizulhasni does not have an individual gold medal in the SEA Games and he wants one for his collection. “
Calls to MNCF president Datuk Abu Samah Abd Wahab for comments yesterday went unanswered.
