KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 -- The Malaysian National Cycling
Federation (MNCF) hopes its appeal to list mountain bike (MTB) for the
2017 SEA Games will receive the attention of the Olympic Council of
Malaysia (OCM).
This followed the success of a Malaysian rider in winning the bronze medal in Thailand, recently.
Kedah lass Siti Nur Adiba Akma Mohd Fuad won the bronze medal in the
10.4 km cross-country junior women's category at the 2016 Asia Mountain
Bike Racing Championship (ACC MTB 2016) in Chai Nat, Thailand last week.
MNCF president Datuk Abu Samah Abd Wahab said the success proved the
capability of national racers in mastering MTB in South East Asia.
"This proves that MTB is on the right track and Siti Nur Adiba Akma has
the character of a champion. I think she is a candidate to win the gold
medal at the SEA Games," said Abu Samah in a media statement, today.
Meanwhile, MNCF MTB Committee chairman Omar Saad hopes MTB would be
listed at the SEA Games on Aug 19-31 following Siti Nur Adiba Akma's
success.
"Hopefully, Siti Nur Adiba Akma's success will become a catalyst for the listing of the event," he said.
The local media reported the OCM was studying the appeal that only 222
events from 41 types of sports be entered for 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA
Games.
After listing 342 events from 34 types of sports in the early list on
Feb 17, MOM is mulling on the final list to be contested and the final
list would be known at the SEA Sport Federation (SEAGF) meeting on July
13-14.
On April 1, OCM announced it received appeals for 114 men's categories,
100 women's events and eight mixed events via the 10-nation Asean
members National Olympic Council and national sport associations.
Among the events submitted to OCM for appeal were cycling (BMX and MTB),
shooting (pistol, rifle, shotgun and training pistol), canoe/kayak,
fencing, judo, kempo, muai thai, climbing and traditional boat racing.
