The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Make new velodrome a one-stop centre for several academies
- Young karter Muizzuddin out for the season
- Ramlan backs Tunku Imran’s view and wants the NSAs to get moving
| Make new velodrome a one-stop centre for several academies Posted: 09 Oct 2012 06:51 PM PDT IT IS not cheap to build an indoor velodrome, which explains why only a handful of Asian countries have one. An indoor velodrome, like a swimming pool, is one of the costliest sports facilities to build and it is the public's hope that it is properly maintained and does not become a white elephant. It took two years for the government to say "yes" after careful evaluation and deliberation and include it in the 2013 Budget with a proposed allocation of RM80mil, which also includes the construction of a new badminton academy in Bukit Kiara. Cyclists in the country have been clamouring for a new track that is in line with international specifications. The Velodrome Rakyat in Ipoh is a timber track while the Kuala Lumpur Velodrome in Cheras is a concrete 333m outdoor track. Both velodromes, managed by their respectivey City Halls, are outdated as the current rules specify that world class races must be be held on 250m timber track. This brings us to the question as to how it is to going to benefit the cycling community. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek got an idea of what to propose to the government after visiting the Darebin International Sports Centre in Melbourne. The centre houses the Victorian Bowls Centre, a state cycling indoor velodrome and the state Australian football centre. The velodrome, one of several in the state of Victoria and the second in Melbourne, has a 250m indoor timber cycling track with seating for more than 500 people and standing room for 400 spectators and an indoor synthetic bowls green at the centre of the velodrome. It cost A$16mil to build and plans for the new velodrome in Nilai is believed to be of a similar scale and will be a joint-venture with Sime Darby. Ideally, it should also be a one-stop centre for several academies, including badminton and cycling, while the private sector can run a driving range or tennis courts. It will be part of a plan to develop the Nilai area into a sports and education hub and its proximity to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang should ensure that it is not under-utilised. More importantly, it will be a boon to cycling in the country and help to further promote the sport. Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Abu Samah Wahab has been quoted as saying that Malaysia could host a leg of the Track World Cup Classics in 2015 as the new velodrome is supposed to be ready before the Rio Olympics the following year. If it comes true, then Malaysia will be the third host country in Asia after China and Kazakhstan. Interestingly, it will be much easier on the cyclists chasing qualification for the Rio Olympics because it will mean less travelling time. Participation in the World Cup Classics are necessary to have any chance to fight for the coveted spots at stake for the track disciplines at the Olympics and it is better for the cyclists to fight in their own backyard than travel halfway around the world to do so. For the coming 2012-2013 season, track cyclists will be competing in Colombia, Scotland and Mexico. The country's No. 1 track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang, who reached the London Olympic final, said the velodrome would boost the country's image. "Local cyclists have been waiting for a long time for this as there is a dire need for the country to construct a world-class indoor track," he said. "I trained and raced at the Cheras velodrome during the Asian Cycling Championships earlier this year but the facilities there are outdated ... training is risky and can lead to injuries." |
| Young karter Muizzuddin out for the season Posted: 09 Oct 2012 06:40 PM PDT PETALING JAYA: The season is over for Malaysia's young international karter Muizzuddin Musyaffa Abdul Gafar after he broke his right leg in a crash at the WSK Finals Cup in Castelleto, Italy, last weekend. The 10-year-old, jostling for prime positions with 35 other karters in the mini-60 category, was flung into the air after his kart bumped into the side of rival karter Noah Watt before the machine landed on his right leg. Muizzuddin, whose parents were watching from the stands, was rushed to the Medical Centre for medical attention before being sent to the hospital for further treatment, where his worst fears were confirmed. "The doctors have advised him to rest for at least a month. That means his season is over. Muizz will miss the next three events," said Muizzuddin's team manager Zainuddin Radzi. The three events are the 2012 ROK Cup World Finals at Lonato near Milan this weekend; the Trophio dell Industry at the same venue the following weekend; and the season-ending WSK Championship in Udine (Nov 13-14). "Knowing Muizz, he must be totally distraught. I really feel sad for the kid. Hopefully, he recovers soon and we can start working for next season," said Zainuddin, who has been Muizzuddin's personal coach since the Kuala Lumpur lad began karting three years ago before moving to Italy to join Gamoto Racing Team. Zainuddin believes that Muizzuddin, who is now resting at his parent's rented apartment in Sicily, was trying to push for a front row start at the qualifying session in Castelleto. "Things were actually going well for Muizz. He was already among the top five and was actually on P3 at one stage. But with three minutes to go before the end of the session, Muizz tried to get past Watt, who was working hard to defend his line. "Their karts collided, sending Muizz's kart flying into the air. It then fell on Muizz's right leg. It's unfortunate for Muizz. I don't think he was trying anything extraordinary. But these things happen in racing," said Zainuddin, who expects Muizzuddin to return home soon to recuperate. Muizzuddin made a bold decision at the beginning of the year to leave his comfort zone and compete full-time in Italy, including in the CSAI Italian Karting Championship, the WSK series and several other major meets. He made a big impression when he won the rookie crown at Italy's prestigious go-kart competition for the country's license holders – the 2012 ROK Cup Italia Finals last month. Competing in the 43-driver mini-60 category at the di Sienna International Circuit in Castelnuova, Sienna, Muizzuddin stunned his rivals – including some 13-year-olds – to lead the field for the first eight laps of the 12-lap contest before finishing third to qualify for the Finals this weekend. With a 40-point total, Muizzuddin finished the season 13th overall in a field of 37 karters. Italian Leonardo Lorandi topped the five-round championship with an amazing 206 points. "We can still be proud of Muizz's achievements. Remember, this is only his first season in Italy. This is a very competitive championship, with the participation of top karters from Europe and the United States," said Zainuddin. "Many see this championship as the No. 1 go-kart championship in the world in terms of gaining exposure and experience and testing their skills. That's why we put Muizz here. We must also not forget that he is only 10 and is competing against older karters, including 13-year-olds, which is the maximum age for this Mini-60 category." |
| Ramlan backs Tunku Imran’s view and wants the NSAs to get moving Posted: 09 Oct 2012 04:10 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Start preparing for the 2016 Olympics now! That's the view of former National Sports Institute (NSI) chief operating office Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz. He is the second person to slam the National Sports Associations' (NSAs) lackadaisical approach towards the Rio Games. Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar had, on Monday, hit out at the lack of urgency in improving sports development in the country. "Our trend here is to concentrate on the SEA Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and then the Olympics – in that order," said Ramlan after the launch of OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2013 at Chinoz on the Park in Suria KLCC yesterday. "That's what happened in Beijing 2008 and London this year. Our athletes only started preparing for the Games two years earlier, instead of four. This shouldn't be the way. "Our athletes need a solid four years to prepare for the Olympics. If we are really serious about the 2016 Games, our preparations need to start by 2013. The athletes identified for the Games, like Azizulhasni Awang and Pandelela Rinong, must be provided with the best facilities, equipment and support for the next four years to give them the best shot at the Games." Ramlan, who is now the special advisor to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, also warned that Rio should not be the end game. "It shouldn't just end with Rio. We should also be looking at our world junior champions and those who can compete after 2016. We need to get the system aright," he said. Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek hopes that the proposed indoor velodrome in Nilai, as announced during the 2013 Budget, will be the catalyst that will transform Malaysia into a cycling nation. "The velodrome is a necessity. We want to build the best velodrome not only in the country, but the region as a way to develop the sport further," he said. Ahmad Shabery, who was first to sign up for the OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2013's The Challenge category, was quick to point out that Britain only became a cycling powerhouse after building a velodrome for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. "Our main aim is to make cycling accessible to the public. We're looking into making Malaysia a cycling-friendly nation with smart urban planning that will support a cycling lifestyle," he said. |
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