AZIZULHASNI’S INSPIRING STORY SET FOR BIG SCREEN

Cyclist’s inspiring story to be brought to life in biopic

KUALA LUMPUR: From a small town boy to a world cycling track champion in a sport dominated by Europeans.

That’s the inspiring story of Malaysia’s adored cyclist Azizulhasni Awang – and it will be brought to life in a biopic movie very soon.

Three-Sixty Management, Uni-Talent Sdn Bhd and Universiti Utara Malaysia ( UUM) will collaborate with the 30-year-old reigning world champion to produce the biopic. Preproduction will begin soon and the biopic movie will be directed by Raja Mukhriz Raja Ahmad Kamaruddin.

The movie will cost an estimated RM6mil and will be ready for screening by the middle of next year with plans for it to be distributed overseas.

Dungun-born Azizul, who shared the details yesterday, said he hoped that his courageous life story in facing challenges as a cyclist would inspire and motivate the country’s youths.

“It’s the story about a Terengganu village kid, who struggled through many difficulties to make the national team and eventually the world stage,” said Azizul.

“I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I didn’t come from a well-to-do family.

“My mother had to make and sell kuih so that I can attend my first competition in Kuala Lumpur.

“I was given RM50 for a week’s expenditure. I had only one piece of roti canai in the morning and I still managed to win the race.”

Azizul recalled an incident where he was nearly hit by a lorry carrying sand during his early cycling days in Dungun.

“I am thankful that God spared me or other- wise, there’ll be no Azizul today.

“My life experience will be depicted in the biopic,” said the 30 year-old.

His movie will be used in UUM as a tool to instil patriotism.

“The movie will be used for academic studies for UUM students. It’s one of the reasons that I agreed to do this,” said Azizul.

“We come from a small Asian country and we only have one velodrome. But we are still competitive against countries that have five or more velodromes.

“I am excited about this new venture and I hope it will inspire Malaysians to be more positive after watching the biopic.”

The Melbourne-based cyclist is back in Malaysia to take part in the Asian Track Championships starting at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, tomorrow.

— Reuters Overjoyed: Azizulhasni Awang celebrating after winning gold in the men’s keirin final at the Track World Championships last year.

— Bernama It’s my life: (From left) Film director Raja Mukhriz Raja Ahmad Kamaruddin, Azizulhasni Awang, UUM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak and UUM lecturer Mohd Idzwan Yacob posing for a photo after the press conference yesterday.