{
  "id": 4574998,
  "title": "Azizulhasni gets sports ministry, council’s backing for 2028 Olympics",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/azizulhasni-gets-sports-ministry-councils-backing-for-2028-olympics",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T04:04:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/31/azizulhasni-gets-sports-ministry-council-s-backing-for-2028-olympics"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian National Cycling Federation announced on Friday that they will support national track cycling star Azizulhasni Awang's participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA28). This confirmation came after Azizulhasni released a nine-page statement on the same day, urging the sports ministry and MSN to clarify their stance on his inclusion in the upcoming Olympics.\n\nThe Malaysian National Cycling Federation's president, Amarjit Singh Gill, stated that the youth and sports minister, Dr Taufiq Johari, had directed the sports council to provide continuous support to track cycling athletes, including Azizulhasni. This decision is significant for both Azizulhasni and Malaysian cycling as a whole, as it offers him the necessary clarity to concentrate on qualifying for the Olympics, beginning with the Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China, in October.\n\nAmarjit expressed his delight at the government and MSN's positive response, emphasizing the importance of moving forward together towards LA28. He noted that the path to the Olympics is challenging and requires coordinated efforts from the federation, the youth and sports ministry, MSN, coaches, and athletes.\n\nAzizulhasni's nine-page statement highlighted the importance of receiving confirmation from the ministry and MSN, as it would enable him to plan his training, competitions, and commitments involving his family and sponsors with greater certainty. With the qualifying campaign for LA28 about to commence, clarity from the authorities was crucial for him to make informed decisions about his preparations.",
  "summary": "Cycling federation says it received a letter from MSN yesterday confirming its support for the athlete's quest to feature in the Los Angeles Games.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Azizulhasni gets sports ministry, council’s backing for 2028 Olympics",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/azizulhasni-gets-sports-ministry-councils-backing-for-2028-olympics-4577807",
        "published": "2026-08-31T04:04:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}