PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's push for a stronger presence in track cycling at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles Games received a boost with the launch of professional outfit Team Cahya Mata.
Backed by Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad, it is the nation's first all-female track cycling team.
Paris Olympian Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri will spearhead the team alongside Aliana Syafika Azizan, Anis Amira Rosidi and Amber Yong as they compete at the highest levels of international track cycling over the next three years.
Cahya Mata Group managing director Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib expressed the hope that the partnership would be able to help the riders qualify for the Olympics and elevate Malaysian cycling further on the world stage.
"The cyclists have worked hard. They have trained day in, day out. They want to achieve the highest level possible and I admire that," said Sulaiman at the team launch.
"We believe at Cahya Mata that people should be given the chance to shine and why don't we help them. These ladies are inspiring.
"They are so young, yet they have strived and made leaps and bounds of achievement. I hope they can make it to the Olympics.
"We don't really get a platform at the Olympics but it is about Malaysians seeing that we can achieve a better future for our athletes."
The formation of the team comes at a crucial period for Malaysian track cycling as preparations will soon kick off for the LA Olympics, with the country seeking to build greater depth in the women's sprint programme.
Izzah is now Malaysia's top ranked female track cyclist, sitting at world No. 14 and at 21, is already a three-time Asian Championships gold medallist.
The Sungai Petani-born rider managed to secure a bronze medal in a high quality final keirin field led by reigning world champion Mina Sato of Japan at the Japan Track Cup series last week.
