KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) has called on the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) to take immediate action to restore the Velodrom Rakyat in Ipoh, describing the facility as unsafe and hazardous.
MNCF president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill told Scoop that bureaucratic delays and finger-pointing have left the iconic velodrome abandoned, with no races or training sessions held for more than a year.
“The current state of the Velodrom Rakyat is extremely disappointing. It is unsafe, dangerous, and has been out of operation for over a year,” he said when contacted.
Amarjit identified the absence of a roof as the primary cause of repeated damage to the wooden track, which remains exposed to rain and heat, posing a serious safety risk to cyclists.
He added that an opportunity to resolve the issue was missed during upgrade works in 2015 ahead of the 2018 Malaysian Games (SUKMA), when a proposal to install a roof was ignored.
“If a small budget had been allocated at that time, this problem would not have persisted. The National Velodrome in Nilai, by contrast, requires minimal maintenance even after 10 years because it is protected from the weather,” he said.
Restoring the Ipoh facility is particularly urgent for athletes from northern states such as Perak, Penang, and Kedah, which continue to produce talented young cyclists.
Amarjit said the heavy reliance on the Nilai Velodrome has made talent development programmes increasingly challenging due to congested training schedules.
“The Nilai Velodrome is operating at full capacity, serving the national team, the National Sports Council (NSC), and various state teams. If the Velodrom Rakyat becomes operational again, it could function as a northern training hub and help ease congestion at Nilai,” he said.
He also urged authorities to swiftly resolve ownership issues involving the Perak state government and Ipoh City Council (MBI).
“Land or building ownership disputes must not be used as an excuse for inaction. This is a national asset that needs to be preserved,” he stressed.
It is understood that the federation has also written to Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, urging him to visit the velodrome to see its condition firsthand. – January 13, 2026