Four Malaysian BMX riders to train in South Korea

PETALING JAYA: Four Malaysian BMX riders received a massive boost after they were picked to attend a 10-day intensive training at the World Cycling Centre - Korea Satellite (WCC-KS) in Taejang-li, South Korea.

Siti Shahirah Hashim, who won the bronze medal in the girls’ junior event at the Asian BMX Championship in Chainat, Thailand, in May will be accompanied by Muhammad Nazrul Zakaria, Nur Liyana Fazlien Shaare and Saniy Syahmi Safiee for the stint starting on June 11.

Malaysian National Cycling Federation ( MNCF) president Datuk Abu Samah Abd Wahab said Asian countries were usually given two automatic slots but Malaysia received a windfall with four tickets to the WCC-KS on merit.

“They (WCC-KS) contacted me and requested for Siti Shahirah’s biodata following her win in Chainat. Three others were selected following their performance last year. They will be accompanied by coach Zafril Zakaria. The centre will bear all expenses.

“This is a recognition for Malaysia. We won a bronze medal in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games which is our first medal in a BMX event and we also took a bronze in the Asian BMX Championships.

“The WCC-KS felt that Malaysian riders needed a chance to enhance their talent in BMX events.”

Abu Samah reckoned Siti Shahirah as a medal candidate for Malaysia if BMX is included as a programme at the 2019 Philippines SEA Games.

“She has the potential and the training at the WCC-KS will benefit her as she will be trained by highly-skilled coaches from the World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland,” he added.

Meanwhile, 18- year- old Siti Shahirah said she was determined to use the 10-day training as a stepping stone to beef up her preparation for the 2019 SEA Games.

“It’s not easy to get a chance to train at the WCC-KS so I want to learn as much as possible in 10 days. We will be there during Ramadan but we are all ready,” said the Terengganu cyclist.