Azizulhasni and Fatehah opt out of YSD
KUALA LUMPUR: Olympic track cyclists Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa have opted out of the Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD).
Instead Azizulhasni, who was the first Malaysian cyclist to win a medal (bronze) in the men’s keirin event at the Olympics (in Rio de Janeiro) in August, and Fatehah are looking for other sponsors.
YSD, who have given out RM4.85mil in sponsorships for the national track cyclists for London 2012 and Rio 2016, will continue to fund the track riders for the 2020 Olympic in Tokyo.
YSD have allocated RM2.6mil for a period of three years and seven months from February 2017 to August 2020 to sponsor six juniors to qualify for the Tokyo Games.
The six, who have been selected by head coach John Beasley, are four boys – Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, Muhammad Khairil Nizam Rasol, Muhammad Fadil Mohd Zonis and Mohamd Shariz Efendi Mohd Shahrin – and two girls – Anis Amira Rosdi and Farina Shawati Mohd Adnan.
YSD chairman Tun Musa Hitam said that it was unfortunate that Azizulhasni and Fatehah have expressed their wish to leave YSD.
“The duo have decided to look for other sponsors and we wish them all the best,” said Musa.
“YSD have achieved their objective of nurturing them as Azizulhasni delivered the bronze in Rio.
“We would however continue to support Azizulhasni by awarding a scholarship worth more than RM300,000 for him to pursue his education at Victoria University in Melbourne.”
The Terengganu lad is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Human Movement.
Musa added that Azizulhasni’s feat has spurred the foundation to sponsor the juniors.
Beasley said he is happy to continue working with YSD as the people at the foundation are like family to him.
“We hope to groom these potential Olympians not only for the Tokyo Games but to become excellent national athletes.
“I look forward to develop these cyclists to become proud flag-bearers for the country,” said Beasley.
The juniors will leave for Melbourne on Nov 26 in preparation for the Asian Track Cycling Championships in New Delhi from Feb 6-10.