Investing in the future

CIMB Foundation announces support for junior cycling programme

We are confident that this partnership will establish a robust pipeline for future Malaysian champions in cycling.

Datuk Hamidah Naziadin

KUALA LUMPUR: The CIMB Foundation has announced a three-year partnership with Junior Cycling Malaysia (JCM) aimed at producing world-class riders like Azizulhasni Awang.

The CIMB-JCM Junior Development Programme, from 2018 to 2020, is to groom and turn young riders from the age of seven into elite cyclists.

The CIMB Foundation, however, did not reveal the amount to be pumped in for the junior development programme.

CIMB Foundation chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Hamidah Naziadin said that their latest ventures stems from the success of their 10-year squash development programme.

“We are excited about this partnership with JCM. We are confident that this partnership will establish a robust pipeline for future Malaysian champions in cycling,” said Hamidah, adding that the CIMB Foundation also sponsors the national blind football team and the wheelchair basketball team.

The CIMB Group recently announced that 1% of its profits before tax would be channelled to the CIMB Foundation for the development of sports, community and education across Asean from 2018 to 2020.

JCM, who were incorporated in April last year, have organised 13 criterium championships, three road races, one time trial, one track and one BMX championship to date.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that the partnership would help JCM to train more junior cyclists from the age of seven to 17.

“The training base will be bigger and junior-level circuits can be expanded next year.

“The partnership will also help junior cyclist to train overseas to further improve their performance,” said Khairy.

Fifteen-year-old Mohammad Justin Felix, who has been in the programme since last year, said that the CIMB Foundation partnership would definitely help improve the standard of junior cyclists in Malaysia.

“Besides training and competing in local circuits, cyclists will also be sent to train overseas. This augurs well for junior riders,” said Justin, who took up cycling because his stepfather Azin Iskandar was a former state cyclist.

The Form Three student of SMK Dato Amar Diraja in Muar hopes to become a world-class rider like his idol Azizulhasni.