Azizul plans to set up pro outfit
SHAH ALAM: National track cycling ace Mohd Azizulhasni Awang plans to take the first step towards promoting the sport by setting up the Team Azizul professional outfit next season.
Azizulhasni, also known as ‘The Pocket Rocketman’, said the idea to form a professional team came about when he saw many talented back-up cyclists lacking in proper techniques during races.
“I want to help spur the development of cycling. This professional team will have a minimum of three or four cyclists. At least I can help these youngsters join my team and get a chance to compete.
“If there is only one team, there are limitations. Only the high performers will be selected. I want other riders to get a chance and exposure. Racing experience is very important.
“We are not targeting them to become instant world champions, this team is a platform for them to become competitive before stepping into the elite ranks,” he told reporters after the Daikin corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, which is aimed at realising the dreams of children from underprivileged families living in Selangor.
A total of 54 children received gifts, like bicycles, school supplies, story books, musical instruments and sports equipment sponsored by Daikin.
Azizulhasni, who is also a Daikin ambassador, said he planned to take his team to train in Melbourne, Australia and compete in tournaments there if they received sufficient sponsorships and had adequate budget.
He said he already had the list of riders, but would need to discuss it first with the National Sports Council (NSC) and his coach John Beasley.
He added that the professional outfit was one of his preparations for next year’s World Cup and several other championships to collect points to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“This is my own initiative, firstly for me to compete in next year’s World Cup. If I race for the country, there will be limited spot for others to compete. So, if we have two teams from Malaysia, we will have more representatives.
“There are events where only two cyclists can be entered, so I want to give (other national cyclists) Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Mohd Fadhil Zonis the chance to compete, gain exposure and collect points to qualify for the Olympics,” he explained.
Meanwhile, he was pleased that work on building the Azizulhasni Awang Velodrome in Dungun, Terengganu, which stalled nine years ago, would resume this November, adding that it would help to further develop the cycling talents in his home state .
“We are aware that there are many talented and good cyclists in Terengganu. I believe that the velodrome will become a cycling hub in Malaysia.
“Based on previous discussions, this is just a basic velodrome, but for me that’s sufficient...we don’t need lavish facilities. Even in Melbourne, most of the velodrome are basic...even a cement track is okay.
“We can build a children’s playground in the middle of the velodrome so that it can be used by the surrounding community,” he said.