KUALA LUMPUR — The National Sports Council (NSC) has rejected claims that it had failed to engage Datuk Azizulhasni Awang over his future, saying several discussions had already been held with the national track cycling icon regarding his plans.
The council said it was “deeply surprised” by recent remarks from Malaysian cycling technical director John Beasley, who suggested that Azizulhasni could miss key preparations and potentially retire if his future with the national team was not clarified within days.
According to the NSC, discussions with the 38-year-old five-time Olympian had taken place both before and after the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, including a key meeting on Aug 13, during which Azizulhasni outlined what he required to continue his pursuit of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Beasley said on Thursday that Azizulhasni would not attend the pre-Asian Games training camp in Brisbane or compete at the World Championships in Shanghai if discussions over his future were not held within the next few days.
The Australian said Azizulhasni wanted clarity on whether Malaysia still intended to include him in its plans for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled from Sept 19 to Oct 4, before deciding whether to compete at the World Championships in Shanghai from Oct 14 to 18 and continue his pursuit of another Olympic campaign.
The Shanghai World Championships are particularly significant as they mark the start of the qualification period for the LA 2028 Olympics.
However, the NSC said it had already been in discussions with Azizulhasni, with director-general Jefri Ngadirin and several senior officials involved in talks concerning the cyclist’s future.
It added that during the Aug 13 meeting, Azizulhasni agreed that details of his LA28 training programme would be jointly announced after the Shanghai World Championships.
“These meetings were acknowledged by Datuk Azizulhasni himself in his media statement,” the NSC said in a statement issued today following reports surrounding the matter.
The council also dismissed suggestions that it had overlooked Azizulhasni’s plans or failed to recognise his contributions to Malaysian sport.
“Claims that NSC ignored Azizulhasni’s plans or failed to appreciate his service and contributions are irresponsible, as NSC’s commitment and support for the country’s cycling hero have remained steadfast for a long time,” it said.
The NSC further revealed that it had met the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) on July 7 to discuss the Olympic pathway for national cyclists, with Azizulhasni identified as the country’s main rider in the effort to collect qualification points.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Taufiq Johari, who chairs the NSC management board, had also spoken separately with Azizulhasni about his preparations and future plans during a welcome-home celebration for the Malaysian contingent following the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
At the Aug 13 meeting, Azizulhasni was accompanied by Road to Gold programme head Akmal Ahmad Zainuddin, Podium programme head Halif Asro Ramzi Sulaiman and National Sports Institute sports science branch head Izham Mohamad.
According to the NSC, Azizulhasni informed officials that he had already begun planning for LA28, although his programme has yet to be finalised.
The latest exchange comes amid continued uncertainty over the future of one of Malaysia’s most decorated cyclists, with Azizulhasni yet to make a final decision on whether he will embark on what could be his sixth Olympic campaign. – August 29, 2026