Pro teams ready to release cyclists for SEA Games if funding issue is resolved

The Star

4 days ago

Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill.
PETALING JAYA: The National Sports Council (NSC) now holds the key after Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) and Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) agreed to release their riders for the SEA Games in Thailand this December, following persuasion from the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF).
All parties convened in Bukit Jalil today, with MNCF President Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill leading the meeting, alongside several top officials from the association.
Malaysia Pro Cycling (MPC) was represented by Sporting Director Sayuti Zahit, while Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) Chief Operating Officer Nasiruddin Wan Idrus attended virtually.
Although the four-hour meeting ended without a conclusive decision, both teams expressed willingness to release their riders for the biennial Games, provided their previous requests are met.
Amarjit viewed the meeting positively, noting the NSC's willingness to negotiate additional funding to support the teams' preparations for the SEA Games in Thailand.
As a next step, the MNCF has given both teams a one-week deadline to submit a detailed breakdown of their proposed budgets, estimated to be around RM250,000 per team.
'We've asked both TSG and MPC to clearly outline their actual needs, including logistics, participation fees, and any additional or top-up costs required for the SEA Games.
'Once we receive the detailed budget, we can then prepare a working paper to be submitted to the NSC for consideration.
The NSC has indicated their readiness to review the request for additional funding based on the proposed budget,' said Amarjit after the meeting.
Amarjit believes the requests made by MPC and TSG are reasonable, involving essential technical matters such as spare parts, nutritional supplements, centralised training expenses, and other related costs.
Once the MNCF receives the full breakdown of these expenses, he plans to engage the NSC again to secure the additional funding needed.
Sayuti, while welcoming the meeting, said he is still waiting for a firm decision from the NSC at a follow-up meeting once the list requested by the MNCF is submitted.
'We're all looking for a solution, and we're hoping for a better outcome than before.
Our requests remain the same, and we're appealing to the NSC to give us some room so we can find common ground and reach a compromise,' he said.
So far, nine riders have been listed to represent the country in the road race event, comprising four from TSG, four from MPC, and one national rider.
In total, Malaysia's cycling contingent for the SEA Games in Thailand will consist of 33 athletes across four disciplines: road (14 riders: nine men and five women), mountain bike (five riders: three men and two women), BMX (four riders: two men and two women), and track (11 riders: nine men and two women).