PETALING JAYA: John Beasley has been the architect of Malaysian cycling for the last two decades but he now feels it is a struggle to continue with his current position as the technical director.
The Australian has indicated that he will step down from his position after the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games from Sept 19-Oct 4.
His contract runs until Jan 31 next year but a frustrated Beasley made it clear that he was fed up of dealing with politics within the Malaysian cycling and would weigh his options, including coaching elsewhere.
“I find it incredibly hard especially in regards to how we are going to move forward because we just seem to lack direction and leadership,” said Beasley.
“The more I try and lead things, the more people are pushing away with their own agendas. So for me, maybe I’m almost at the end of my tether.
“There’s been a lot of emotion over the last couple of months with people personally attacking me and whatever.
“I have had enough and if people think they can do it better than me, I am happy to hand over and say well, you go and do it.
“I have tried to give a lot to Malaysia and I feel that Malaysians have given me a lot back.
“But there are a few really naughty ones at the moment and when my bosses do not step in and sort this noise out, then for me, I do not want to work any more for those people.
“I want to go somewhere where I feel valued. I still feel I’ve got a lot to contribute but I am not going to do it with people that are disrespectful and behave like naughty little kids.”
Beasley recently criticised various states for not releasing their riders for the upcoming Junior Track World Championships in Belgium from Aug 19-23.
This is because the states want their riders to race at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Selangor from Aug 15-24. Beasley, again, could not hide his displeasure regarding the issue.
“It’s something that has been happening for a long time. I just think it is sad that people (administrators, coaches) look at it selfishly and place their own interest above the athletes’,” he said.
“Unfortunately, that is where we are at in Malaysia. In order to move forward, we have to be collective and united on a mission.
“But honestly, I just cannot see it ever happening. There are just too many factions, too many people wanting to run with their own selfish agendas.
“I continually bring this up with the National Sports Council but it is going nowhere.
“It is falling on deaf ears,” said Beasley, who served as the head coach since 2006 before he became the technical director for Malaysian cycling last year.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
