Don't Pressure Azizulhasni To Race In LA 28 - Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama) -- Former Malaysian National Cycling Federation of Malaysia (MNCF) vice president, Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, believes that the country's track cycling champion should not be pressured to continue racing until the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympic Games.

Khairy who is also the former Minister of Youth and Sports, said the matter should be left entirely to Azizulhasni to discuss with his family.

"I think if we put pressure on him to reach the LA 2028 Olympics, to me it would be unfair. Because he is almost 40 years old and he has sacrificed a lot of time.

"For me, he will go to the Asian Games and after that he will have to discuss his future with his family," he said when met yesterday.

Meanwhile, Khairy said that if Azizulhasni decides to continue his career until the LA 2028 Olympics, he suggested that he receive the support he needs as an elite athlete.

"Taking care of an athlete of this age is not easy. They are vulnerable to injuries and their recovery takes a long time.

"So if Azizulhasni wants to compete until the LA 2028 Olympics, we have to help him, including providing support from sports science and treatment if he is injured," he said.

Earlier, the media reported that Azizulhasni was not yet ready to make a decision on whether to continue his career until LA 2028, while stressing that many factors need to be considered.

According to the Tokyo Olympics silver medallist, although many parties including MNCF and local sports agencies want to see him compete in his sixth Olympics, personal sacrifice is the priority.

-- BERNAMA