MNCF avoid setting specific medal target for C’wealth Games

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) are keeping their Commonwealth Games medal target under wraps, revealing only that they are aiming to bring home two medals from Glasgow.

While MNCF president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill declined to specify the colour of the medals, one is expected to come from Nurul Izzah Izzati Asri in the women’s 1km time trial.

The other is likely to come from the men’s keirin.

Amarjit said he deliberately avoided setting a specific medal target to prevent placing unnecessary pressure on the riders, having learned from his experience before the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Two years ago, a few weeks before the team left for Paris, he had publicly backed Datuk Azizulhasni Awang to deliver Malaysia’s first Olympic cycling gold.

Instead, Azizul was disqualified in the men’s keirin and the national track cycling squad returned home empty-handed.

“I don’t want to put any pressure on the athletes. Before the Paris Olympics, I said we would win a gold medal, and I think that created pressure,” said Amarjit.

“This time, I’ll only say we’re targeting two medals.

“I won’t specify the colour because I think that’s fairer to the athletes and the team.

“It allows them to focus on their preparations without any added pressure.’’

Earlier, Malaysia’s Commonwealth Games chef de mission Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz announced an overall target of five gold, two silver and four bronze medals for the contingent.

The cycling competition will be held from July 30-Aug 2 at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, with 18 medal events and a further eight para-cycling events.

Besides Azizulhasni and Nurul Izzah, Malaysia will be represented by Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom, Nur Aliaa Syasya Farif and Newjoe Lau.