KUALA LUMPUR — In a bid to boost track cycling development, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) has formally requested funding from the Youth and Sports Ministry for upgrades and refurbishment at Ipoh’s Velodrome Rakyat.
Newly elected MNCF president, Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill, highlighted the velodrome’s poor condition, which has made it unusable for more than a year, affecting the Perak team and those from other northern states.
Speaking to the press after a meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh at the National Sports Council (NSC) Casa 1, Amarjit explained that the facility requires a new track and possibly a roof for protection.
“The current wooden track is damaged and unsafe for our athletes,” he said.
“The infrastructure is good, but the track is unusable. My suggestion is that if we opt for a new wooden track, we should install a simple roof to protect it from rain and heat. Alternatively, a concrete track would be more durable and require less maintenance,” he added.
Amarjit pointed out that the old Cheras Velodrome’s concrete track, built in 1986, remained in use until its recent demolition. He suggested that unless Malaysia intends to host international events, a concrete track would be sufficient for development purposes in Ipoh.
In 2015, the Youth and Sports Ministry allocated around RM10 million to upgrade Velodrome Rakyat, including RM6 million for the track, RM2 million for the timing system, and additional funds for air conditioning and room facilities.
Meanwhile, the MNCF has also submitted two additional funding requests: one for the national road cycling programme and another to support international cycling events in Malaysia.
The federation will host the Asian Track Championships from February 21 to 27 next year and is considering bids for the 2026 Track World Cup and the 2028 Track World Championships.
Amarjit estimated that around RM2 million would be needed solely for the men’s national road cycling team. Currently, only the national track cycling programme receives full funding from the NSC.
“We need to be realistic about our budget, and we are open to discussions with the NSC and other stakeholders to find the best approach. This is just a preliminary estimate,” he concluded. – November 6, 2024