KUALA LUMPUR – National cycling legend Datuk Ng Joo Ngan has expressed deep disappointment in response to accusations of racism and favouritism among riders within the Kuala Lumpur cycling team.
These allegations, directed at Joo Ngan by a few parents, were brought to the attention of the former president of the Kuala Lumpur Cycling Association (KLCA), Datuk Razlan Razali.
The situation prompted Razlan to take drastic action by resigning from his position on March 16, less than a month after his uncontested election as head of the governing body’s new executive committee.
Joo Ngan vehemently refuted these accusations, citing his nearly four decades of experience in coaching.
Throughout his career, he asserted that he never discriminated against any of his disciples, consistently treating and imparting knowledge equally, regardless of race or religion.
Among the national cyclists who have undergone training under Joo Ngan are Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, M. Kumaresan, and Jamaluddin Omar, among others.
“My heart truly aches from these accusations (of racism). Throughout my coaching career, I have treated all my students equally. You can ask those who have succeeded about me.
“When Azizul was expelled from the National Sports Council (NSC) early in his career, I brought Azizul to my house and helped him train before persuading the late Datuk Zolkeples (Embong), NSC director-general at the time, to bring him back into the programme. The same goes for other cyclists.
“During Ramadan, I would never compel them to train during the day if they weren’t feeling well. We would adjust the training schedule to the night, and if they were up to it, we would have an early morning session. But I have never imposed training against their will,” explained Joo Ngan at a press conference today.
Joo Ngan believes that some parents of the Kuala Lumpur cyclists may have misunderstood his strict coaching approach, particularly given his no-nonsense attitude at the age of 77.
Despite the absence of a president in KLCA, Joo Ngan remains resolute in his commitment to his team’s preparations for the upcoming Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) in August.
“I won’t tolerate any nonsense. If training is scheduled for 6:30 in the morning, whether they show up or not, I’ll start the session. Discipline is key to success.
“Whether there’s a president or not, my focus remains on training the Kuala Lumpur team to succeed in Sukma Sarawak. This will not hinder our cyclists,” he added. – March 21, 2024