Pro cycling team feels slighted after NSC budget snub
The Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) road committee recently requested a budget from NSC during a meeting with them. The budget is to prepare the road squad for the Sea Games though it was rejected outright by the latter.
MPC team principal Sayuti Zahit attended the meeting together with MNCF road committee chairman Norazman Abu Samah as well as Terengganu Cycling Team chief operating officer Nasiruddin Wan Idrus.
"We only managed to verbally mention our requests during the meeting and were immediately shot down by the NSC officers," said Sayuti when contacted today (July 12).
"We decided not to present to them our proposal for the Sea Games as they appeared adamant for us to just use the remaining budget they had given MNCF for this year.
"We need new time trial bikes as well as some funds to support our riders in preparation for the Thailand Sea Games.
"The same time trial bikes can also be used for the 2027 Sea Games so it would be killing two birds with one stone.
"As I have said before, our best bet for gold at the Thailand Sea Games will be in the individual and team time trial events but we need to have up to date equipment to be on a level playing field with Thailand and the Philippines.
"Without these bikes and proper preparation it would be almost pointless for us to send our riders to Thailand as we have very limited chances in the mass start road race.
"If we do not get any positive news from NSC by next month, we will likely be withdrawing from the Sea Games competition."
Hosts Thailand have opted to include long and steep climbs for the mass start road race to boost their riders' chances of winning thus Malaysia's best bet of gold would be in the time trial.
The time trial bikes cost roughly RM80,000 each.
Norazman earlier this week disclosed that NSC had allocated RM450,000 to MNCF to cover road cycling, mountain biking and BMX programmes for this year.
MNCF had allocated RM300,000 to road cycling though only RM196,000 remains after RM104,000 was spent on preparation and competition costs for the Asian Championships in Thailand earlier this year.
Sayuti, who had also founded MPC's predecessor, Team Sapura Cycling, said he felt that Malaysian professional cycling teams, including TSG, have not been appreciated enough for their contributions to the country.
Malaysia's pro riders have won gold at every edition of the Sea Games since 2015 - except during Manila 2019 - which proves their consistency.
"We have been more than happy to send our riders to compete for the nation over the years and because of the pro teams, NSC have not had to keep (men's) road cyclists on their full-time programme," said Sayuti.
"We have been developing riders for the country - which is essentially NSC's job - using our own funding. Indirectly, this has saved them money.
"In total, road cyclists from pro teams have won six Sea Games gold medals for Malaysia over the past 10 years.
"Other sports such as football have not won gold at the Sea Games for a long time and yet, they still get millions in funding each year.
"Cycling is without a doubt a team sport. You need six riders to win one gold.
"Preparing a team for the Sea Games costs money and as a pro team, we only have limited funding from our sponsors.
"This is why it is very disappointing and disheartening when we get immediately turned down when we ask for help. We feel that our efforts and contributions have not been appreciated."
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