NILAI HOME OF SPORTS
Centre for cycling, archery, boxing and sepak takraw
FARAH AZHARIE farahazharie@nst.com.my
NILAI will be the site for the new National Sports Council (NSC) complex. This was announced by Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin during the official opening of the National Velodrome in Nilai, yesterday.
The new velodrome will replace the NSC in Keramat which has been taken over by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) for a housing project.
Khairy said the complex will also be the new home for archery, boxing and sepak takraw in an area next to the National Velodrome in Nilai.
“The location next to the velodrome is the perfect venue and I have suggested to the Negri Sembilan government to start working on the land and also take over the management of the closed hall that can be used for training, dorms and archery.
“It will be one complex that houses cycling, archery, boxing and sepak takraw and the issue regarding the land will be finalised in the near future.”
The velodrome will also act as the main venue for the national track cycling programme as it is able to accommodate 20 athletes at a time in the dorms where NSC will run the backup squad training.
It will also be the official hub for the Junior Cycling Malaysia programme after the 2017 Sea Games with competitions on a regular basis.
“There will be a competition each week. So for those interested, including amateurs, can come here because there will be an open track day where the velodrome will be open for all.
“In the mornings they will be trained on how to use the velodrome by the development director. Then in the evenings the race will take place where it will unearth track cycling talents,” said Khairy who was at the national velodrome for the official opening with 85 days before the Sea Games.
Cycling legends such as Datuk Ng Joo Ngan, Rosman Alwi, M. Kumaresan, Josiah Ng and World Champion Azizulhasni Awang were present at the event.