Terengganu MB orders probe into Olympic cyclist’s complaint

The Terengganu MB says a welcoming ceremony will be organised to celebrate the success of the Dungun-born athlete.

PETALING JAYA: The Terengganu State Sports Council has been directed to investigate the claim made earlier today by national cyclist Azizulhasni Awang that his requests for help were ignored.

Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, in responding to the claim, said he was not aware of the request made by Azizulhasni previously.

The cyclist, dubbed the “Pocket Rocket Man”, won a bronze medal at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

He had taken a swipe at the Terengganu MB in a Facebook posting, thanking the latter for “not helping” in his quest for glory.

The keirin cyclist from Terengganu claimed that he, along with another female keirin rider, often got overlooked by the state government.

“Thank you for not buying us the ‘Roadbike’ for use to prepare for the Olympics, although we submitted requests to the state government, almost a year before the event.

“Thank you also for not giving feedback and keeping mum when my manager tried to contact you,” the 28-year-old posted.

Ahmad Razif said: “As of now, I have no idea on this and will have to wait for the results of the investigation.

“Maybe it was overlooked. I feel slighted and apologise if this is true.

“I would like to stress that we are among the state governments which are serious about sports and will make sure every athlete is given due attention.”

The Terengganu MB also said a welcoming ceremony would be organised to celebrate the success of the Dungun-born athlete.

“Like other athletes, we will give incentives to celebrate his success.

“We will also put his name in the Terengganu museum to ensure his success story will serve as an inspiration to other people in Terengganu,” Ahmad Razif added.

Azizulhasni, in his Facebook post, had hoped the Terengganu MB would take his remarks positively and that it would hopefully help the latter “open his eyes” and that of others involved.

“Whatever it is, we are proud of being Terengganu born,” Azizulhasni said.

Following Azizulhasni’s success, Ahmad Razif congratulated the cyclist, as reported by Bernama this morning.

“The first medal (for Malaysia) for a cycling event in the Olympics will always be noted in history and I am confident Azizulhasni’s success will be an inspiration to future cyclists,” Ahmad Razif had said.

He said the state government would reward the cyclist for his win to inspire others.