KUALA LUMPUR – Two-time Olympic medallist Datuk Azizulhasni Awang remains non-committal regarding his future plans with the Youth and Sports Ministry’s Road to Gold (RTG) programme.
Without dismissing the possibility of his inclusion in the RTG committee in the near future, Azizulhasni reiterated that he needs time to think about his career trajectory as he is currently recovering physically and mentally from his experience at the Paris Olympics.
“Hannah Yeoh, the ministry, and the National Sports Council (NSC) are hoping that I can still be under the RTG programme – (but) if I’m in it, it’s a responsibility for me (as) I have to achieve key performance indicators (and) not just stay there for nothing.
“(A committee member post in RTG) is one of my plans for the future, but definitely not for now. Maybe in one or two years,” Azizulhasni told reporters during a press conference at the launch of CIMB Bank Bhd’s “Kita Buat Jadi” brand campaign.
The RTG committee currently boasts three former international athletes – three-time Olympic silver medallist Datuk Lee Chong Wei, eight-time squash world champion Datuk Nicol David, as well as national hockey legend and three-time Olympian Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi.
Formed last year under Hannah’s leadership, RTG is intended to be an elite athlete preparation programme providing the nation’s top athletes with the additional support required to secure medals at the Paris and Los Angeles Olympics.
Malaysia’s hopes for an Olympic gold medal were dashed after Azizulhasni, 36, was disqualified in the first round of the men’s keirin following a technical infringement involving an overtake of the derny (motorbike) before it left the track.
However, Azizulhasni had also set a national record (9.402sec) in the qualifying round of the men’s sprint.
Azizulhasni, commonly known as the Pocket Rocketman, also said that he has until the end of this year to “come up with a new plan”, noting that the ministry and NSC have consistently been supportive of his plans.
“I don’t want to rush any decision since it’s for my future, so I will take my time (to) think about my next plan on how far and how long I can continue under the RTG programme.
Previously, Chong Wei told Scoop that bringing in Azizulhasni as an RTG committee member could significantly benefit Malaysia’s top athletes as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Chong Wei also commended Azizulhasni not just as a world-class athlete, but also as a leader with extensive experience competing at the highest level.
Azizulhasni, who won bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and silver at the 2020 Tokyo Games, had initially voiced his intention to retire after the Paris Olympics, thus allowing the next generation of riders to take over.
However, upon his return to Malaysia from France, the cyclist said he had been asked by his team to reconsider his retirement plans.
National cycling technical director John Beasley, who is also Azizulhasni’s coach, has since said his charge intends to continue racing for another two years. – September 3, 2024