Youth and Sports Ministry backs Azizulhasni to chase Malaysia’s first Olympic gold at LA28

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 1 — Malaysia's Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) maintains confidence in national track cycling star Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang's pursuit of an Olympic gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Games (LA28). Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari highlighted that this optimism aligns with the RTG programme's aim to assist the nation's high-potential athletes in achieving their goal of winning Malaysia's inaugural Olympic gold.

Taufiq emphasized that confidence must be backed by practical implementation and performance. Questioned about Azizulhasni's potential to secure a gold at LA28, Taufiq clarified that the KBS's faith in him extends beyond this individual, encompassing all athletes in the programme. He confirmed that the 38-year-old, who recently clinched keirin gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, had accepted an offer to stay with the national squad until LA28.

The decision to allow the former world champion to continue was made during an MSN Board meeting on August 13. Azizulhasni, who previously won bronze in the Rio 2016 Olympics and silver in Tokyo 2020, remains focused on claiming his first Olympic gold. His Paris 2024 performance ended prematurely when he was disqualified for an illegal overtaking maneuver at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome.