PUTRAJAYA, Sept 1 — The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) remains confident that national track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang has what it takes to go for the gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games (LA28).
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the confidence was in line with the objective of the Road to Gold (RTG) programme, established to help the country’s high-potential athletes realise their dream of winning Malaysia’s first Olympic gold medal.
He said the confidence in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist was also based on data and facts.
“What is important is, first, have confidence. Second, that confidence must come with comprehensive implementation and performance,” he told a press conference after a briefing by the National Sports Council (MSN) on the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and LA28 qualification process at Menara KBS here today.
He said this when asked whether he was confident Azizulhasni could deliver a gold medal for the country at LA28.
Mohammed Taufiq, however, stressed that KBS’ confidence and hopes were not placed solely on Azizulhasni, but on all athletes in the programme.
Earlier, he confirmed that Azizulhasni, who recently made headlines by winning keirin gold at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, had agreed to accept the offer to continue his mission with the national squad towards LA28.
He said the decision to allow the 38-year-old former world champion to continue his pursuit had been agreed at an MSN Board meeting on Aug 13.
According to him, the offer letter was issued two days ago before KBS received feedback from Azizulhasni yesterday, stating his agreement to continue serving the country.
Azizulhasni, who won keirin bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics before securing silver in the same event at Tokyo 2020, is still chasing the first Olympic gold medal of his career.
At the Paris 2024 edition, his keirin challenge ended in the first round after he was disqualified for overtaking the derny before it left the track during the race at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome.
