KUALA LUMPUR – Track cycling star Datuk Azizulhasni Awang recalled the moment when he was almost booted out of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games for displaying a humanitarian message in support of Palestine.
During the first round of the men’s sprint, Azizulhasni went up against England’s Philip Hindes, whom he defeated in the quarter-finals.
However, as soon as the Dungun-born keirin specialist crossed the finish line, he brought both his hands together to display a message on the back of his gloves that read “Save Gaza.”
“In July 2014, I was almost booted from the sports village and from participating in a major European tournament.
“All because I displayed the message ‘Save Gaza’ on the gloves that I was wearing,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.
During the Glasgow Games, Gaza was under heavy bombardment by Israel’s military.
“Many became victims and perished, including women, small children and babies. What made the situation even worse at that time was that it was the month of Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims.
“The reason given for cancelling my participation was because I delivered a political message on the sports stage. My intention at that time was just to convey a humanitarian message for the whole world to know about the situation in Gaza,” added the Tokyo Olympics silver medallist.
The two-time Commonwealth Games bronze medallist called on Malaysians to continue their support for Palestinians, who are suffering from the current offensive by the Israeli army.
“There are various ways and various spaces to help them there. Help them as much as we can, but the most important thing is that we at least do something,” he said.
In Glasgow, Azizulhasni was allowed to compete after the Commonwealth Games Federation reprimanded the Malaysia team management, as the rider was also not allowed to use the same gloves for the rest of the competition. – October 17, 2023