KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) requires at least RM2 million annually to enhance the performance of the national road cycling squad, according to its president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill. He emphasized that this funding is essential for both the men’s and women’s teams, ensuring sustainable training programs and participation in future international competitions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill highlighted that the MNCF has developed a comprehensive working paper for both teams, stressing the importance of securing the necessary funds. “We have prepared a working paper for both the men’s and women’s teams. The funding that we need to ensure a sustainable programme is about two million a year. Not only for their local events, we are talking about going international,” he stated. He also mentioned that expenses such as flight tickets and travel for the squad’s competitions are significant, as pointed out by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh,
during a meeting at the National Sports Council (MSN).
Amarjit further expressed hope for assistance from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) in restoring the Velodrom Rakyat in Ipoh, which is currently unusable due to the deterioration of the wooden track surface. He proposed resurfacing the track and adding a roof to extend its longevity. “The velodrome was renovated in 2016 by KBS, and at that time, they decided to keep the wooden track. The Perak Cycling Association (PCA) advised adding a simple roof to cover the newly installed track and protect the wooden surface from rain and sun,” he explained.
The renovation in 2016, which cost approximately RM10 million, included enhancements to other facilities like rooms and timing systems at the venue. Amarjit noted that an additional RM1 to RM2 million could have preserved the track’s condition if a roof had been added. “We met with Minister Hannah today (yesterday) and requested that the track be repaired so it can be used again,” he said.
Yesterday, Mini
ster Hannah Yeoh indicated that her ministry would consider the three requests made by MNCF: upgrading the Velodrom Rakyat in Ipoh, providing special funding for the national road cycling squad, and allocating funds for organizing future competitions.