MELAKA – The upcoming election for a new president of the Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) on 12th October is shaping up to be a three-way contest, with Mazlan Md Jalil, Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill, and Yunus Ibrahim fighting it out.
The election comes in the wake of the passing of the federation’s long-serving president, the late Datuk Abu Samah Abdul Wahab, in November last year.
Mazlan, who has been serving as acting president since Abu Samah’s passing, will be competing against Amarjit, the current deputy president, and Yunus, a former deputy from the previous term.
While the deadline for candidate nominations is set to close tomorrow at 5 PM, it is unlikely that any additional names will enter the race.
Meanwhile, Khairy Jamaluddin, currently the vice president of MNCF and head of the finance, sponsorship, and “cycling for all” bureaus, is ineligible to run as he has not yet completed the required one full term in MNCF’s top leadership.
The former youth and sports and health minister only assumed his current role in February of last year.
Speaking to Scoop, Norazman Abu Samah, the son of the late Datuk Abu Samah, outlined four essential qualities needed to continue his father’s legacy, who helmed the MNCF for over three decades.
“Among the key criteria, the new leader must have strong ties with both the world and Asian cycling governing bodies, alongside maintaining excellent relationships with the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS).
Norazman also said that the individual must be wholly dedicated to the MNCF, treating the role as a full-time commitment rather than using it for personal advantage, adding that perhaps most crucially, the candidate must be willing to invest their own resources to further develop the federation.
“For me, the four criteria I’ve mentioned are vital, particularly the need for strong connections with the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACF). This ensures that not only is our voice heard, but that we can also lobby to host major championships, such as those at the Asian level, right here in Malaysia.
“Moreover, the new president must also remember that they need to constantly oversee all developments within the association’s activities, especially concerning athletes, whether in road cycling, track, or mountain biking.
“Ultimately, I hope the next president will uplift MNCF’s image and bring meaningful, positive changes,” said Norazman. – October 3, 2024