Azizul eager to impress again after poor outing in Asian meet By RAJES PAUL

KUALA LUMPUR: After returning home empty handed from the Asian Championships in New Delhi last month, top national track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang is itching for some action again. The Olympian has set his sights on at least a podium finish when he takes part in a series of races in Cottbuss, Germany, in June in a bid to qualify for the World Cup Series in October. Azizul, who is based in Melbourne, said he returned from the Asian Championships with mixed feelings. “Initially, I was not listed to compete in the Asian Championships due to the delay in getting my visa done. I had not trained properly and all that I did in Malaysia was just training on the road,” said Azizul.

 “After a discussion with my coach John Beasley, we decided that the Asian meet will be part of my training. “We used the tournament to monitor my current condition and planned for my next training programme. “Of course, I felt disappointed that I returned empty handed from New Delhi but I was impressed with my timing.

 “Without proper training, I was able to clock quite good times at the start of the season. It gave my coach and I an idea on how to go about my plans for the year. “I am now looking forward for the few races in Europe (Germany) to collect points for the World Cup Series. I hope to race well, much better than the Asian meet and get the taste of one podium finish.” “My team-mates (Josiah Ng and Fatehah Mustapha) will be leaving first (to Europe) and I will join them after sitting for my final exam at the university,” said Azizul, who is doing his Sports Science degree at the University of Victoria. Azizul is now juggling his studies and train ing as well as being a parent. He is the father of a six-month old girl – Amna Maryam.

 “I’m all right despite being busy with training, attending classes and taking care of my little one,” he said. “Fatherhood is a great experience for me. The responsibility as a father somehow motivates me to train even harder. “When I come back home exhausted from training, the smiling face of my child just makes me forget about all those pain in my body.

” Azizul was also delighted to note that the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) had taken steps to solve the issues of bungling officials during Asian Championships. Then, Azizul had tweeted about his dissatisfaction of how things were run which eventually exposed the absence of the team manager during one of the competition days. Azizul said he would continue to do his part to protect the interest of the cyclists.

 “It is a good lesson to show that no one is untouchable. “And when someone makes a mistake, they must accept it and make a change. It is for a better future,” said Azizul, adding that he would continue to highlight the plight of the cyclists through the social media platform.

Azizulhasni: Fatherhood Won't Slow Me Down

PETALING JAYA: Fatherhood has never stopped top Australian cyclist Shane Perkins from succeeding on the track, despite having to juggle between daily training and fulfilling his duties as a doting dad to two kids. Two world titles in individual keirin and team sprint two years after the arrival of his first son Aidan in 2008 and an Olympics bronze medal in London last August are testament to that. And Malaysia’s own track cycling ace Azizulhasni Awang is determined to do the same thing now that he is officially a father.
The 25-year-old welcomed a new addition to the family on Tuesday night when his wife, Athiah Ilyana Abdul Samad, gave birth to a healthy baby girl in her hometown in Ipoh. The proud father is glad everything turned out well as his wife was not due to deliver until Nov 18. “She gave birth to our daughter, who weighs 3.99kg, at 6.30pm.

My wife first complained of abdominal pain in the morning and was taken to the operation room in the afternoon," said Azizulhasni (pic). “The doctor advised her to deliver by Ceasarean-section as the baby is quite big. I feel on top of the world now that I am a father ... after waiting for months. “It feels greater than winning a gold medal. “I’m just glad both mother and child are okay,” said a proud Azizulhasni, who plans to name his child when she is exactly a week old.

 The cyclist, however, will be returning to Melbourne early next month to resume training, but he is determined not to miss out on the joys of parenthood. “My wife and baby girl will stay with my in-laws until the year is over. “I will take them to Melbourne after that. “If my wife decides to work, I’ll bring my daughter to the track,” said Azizul, who is only the second Malaysian after Josiah Ng to ride in an Olympics final in London in August. “I think everything can be sorted out. Shane brings his children to the track and he often says that his family is his biggest inspiration. He still became world champion and if he can go through these things, there is no reason why I can’t.” Azizul, a two-time World Championship silver medallist and Guangzhou Asian Games gold medallist, is skipping the second leg of the Track World Cup in Glasgow next weekend. He did not compete in the first leg of the World Cup in Cali last month either. Ummi Hamimah and Malek Marcus McCrone will carry the Malaysian challenge in the World Cup meet at the newly-built Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow. - The Star

First Time Overseas Voters Set To Vote Sunday, Hope For Continued Unity

 KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- First time overseas voters are all geared up to practice their right to vote in the 13th General Election (GE13) on Sunday through postal votes, including those from Australia where a large chunk of the total 6,360 overseas voters are currently residing. For three-time World Cup track cycling champion and Commonwealth Games medallist, Azizulhasni Awang, 25, who is currently studying at the Victoria University in Melbourne, he is all excited at being able to vote for the first time in GE13. Azizulhasni, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Sport Science in Human Movement, felt that his choice for the government, which would lead Malaysia for the next five years would also affect the development of athletes in the country. "I'm so excited. I can't describe my feelings now. Every vote counts. So I have to exercise my responsibility as a Malaysian to vote in the election as it determines the ruling government that will give benefits to the athletes," he told Bernama in an email interview. Azizulhasni, who has resumed training after a long break from the London Olympics, expressed hope that everybody would respect each other regardless of their political differences. "I hope everyone, it doesn't matter from which party you are, will still respect each other, because we are Malaysians. I love Malaysia. I hope the spirit of togetherness will last forever and also for a better Malaysia in the future," he said.

 In the United Kingdom, a third year accounting and finance student at the London School of Economics, Azeem Abu Bakar, who is also a first time voter, said he was excited because he would finally contribute to the country's political landscape. "I'm grateful that the election commission is extending its effort to empower our democratic rights by implementing postal voting. Without it, I will have to wait for another four or five years to vote simply because I'm not in the country now," he told Bernama. He said he was voting because he would regret it if the elections produce an "undesirable outcome" to him. "If I vote, I know that I have done what I could. Generally, the election would affect me through the socio-economic system that will be used by the party that wins to run the country," he added. Commenting on Barisan Nasional's and Pakatan Rakyat's move in lining up young candidates, he said that it was refreshing to see new talents, however they should be introduced to the public. He noted that both coalitions have created their own candidates' profile websites, namely 1malaysia.com.my for BN candidates and demirakyat.com for PKR's candidates. Meanwhile, a final year postgraduate student at the University of Manchester, Norshah Aizat Shuaib, 24, also a first time voter, expressed hope for a peaceful and smooth polling. "Whatever the decision made by the people, hopefully Malaysia will continue to move forward and not merely talk about politics without any progress. Politics is important, but the progress of a country does not depend on that aspect alone," he said. He also hoped that Malaysians would be united regardless of the ruling government, to ensure that the sovereignty and peace in the country is protected, adding that criticising is good, but let it be for the betterment of the country. According to Election Commission chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, the biggest number of postal voters reside in Australia, followed by United Kingdom and China. -- BERNAMA

Taj Mahal : Keluhan pejuang sukan,anak bangsa Malaysia Azizulhasni Awang

KELUHAN IKHLAS DARI PEJUANG SUKAN NEGARA

Assalamualaikum wbt.

Malang sekali hari ini saya terpaksa membazirkan sedikit daripada waktu terluang saya untuk membuat penulisan ini. Objektif utama adalah untuk memberikan ulasan yang lebih lanjut kepada mereka yang mungkin tidak mengetahui situasi sebenar berkenaan isu panas ‘Taj Mahal’ yang berlaku ketika Kejohanan Berbasikal Asia di India bulan lalu.

Untuk pengetahuan semua, perkara seperti ini bukan baru sahaja berlaku dalam industri sukan kita lebih-lebih lagi dalam arena sukan lumba basikal, pelbagai ragam dan kerenah yang tidak enak memang sudah lama bertapak cuma tidak diketahui masyarakat. Saya percaya dan yakin, ramai diluar sana yang ingin menyuarakan ketidak puasan hati mereka apabila perkara seperti ini berlaku tetapi malangnya tiada siapa yang ingin mendengar rintihan dan keluhan mereka, juga tiada siapa yang ingin membesarkan perkara tersebut dan tiada siapa berminat untuk meng war-war kan isu itu untuk dijadikan perhatian.

Untuk makluman, Haji Ibrahim menghilangkan diri tanpa pengetahuan semua pihak. Ketika semua pelumba,jurulatih dan pegawai lain sedang sibuk di Velodrome, tiada siapa tahu dimanakah pengurus pasukan Malaysia. Pihak penganjur ada mencari pengurus pasukan berikutan mempunyai masalah dengan pita lagu negaraku, malangnya beliau tiada disana. Bayangkan jika Haji Ibrahim berada disana, sudah tentu masalah ini dapat diselesaikan dan ianya tidak menjadi isu besar!

Salah seorang pelumba yang tidak bertanding kebilik Haji Ibrahim sendiri untuk mencari beliau malangnya beliau tiada disana.Sekurang-kurangnya sebelum berangkat ke Taj Mahal, tinggalkan sepatah kata kepada mana-mana anggota pasukan supaya semua sedia maklum dan dapat bersedia. Para jurulatih,pegawai dan staff bantuan bergilir-gilir menjadi pengurus pasukan dek kerana terkejar-kejar dengan jadual perlumbaan yang padat. Saya mendengar sendiri keluhan dari jurulatih dan pegawai-pegawai lain selepas tamat perlumbaan hari itu dan pemergian Haji Ibrahim hanyalah diketahui setelah mereka pulang pada malam hari. Pendapat peribadi saya ini adalah suatu tindakan yang tidak bertanggungjawab.

Alasan yang diberikan untuk menjaga pasukan paralimpik ke Taj Mahal adalah alasan yang tidak masuk akal ketika pasukan trek sedang berjuang di Velodrome untuk mendapatkan pingat. Haji Ibrahim perlu lebih peka yang mana lebih penting dan tidak. Pasukan paralimpik Malaysia mempunyai jurulatih,pembantu jurulatih dan atlit sempurna yang cukup untuk membantu rakan yang kurang sempurna dan alasan untuk membantu mereka adalah tidak dapat diterima.Sebagai pengurus pasukan, Haji Ibrahim sendiri tidak mengetahui acara atlet-atlet yang bertanding dan waktu perlumbaan mereka. Ini menunjukkan ketidak pekaan beliau terhadap tanggungjawab yang diberikan. Saya tidak mempunyai masalah peribadi dengan beliau dan saya menghormati beliau sebagai yang lebih tua, saya juga ada meminta maaf setelah pulang dari India tempoh hari sekiranya saya membuat kesilapan tetapi apabila kita masuk ke bab kerja ataupun ‘bisnes’, tiada lagi istilah suka-suka.Semua harus memberikan tumpuan penuh yang komited.Saya melihat bagaimana jurulatih saya sendiri dan pegawai lain bangkit awal ,bertungkus lumus dan seharian berada di Velodorme untuk membantu para pelumba.

Ketika semua pelumba merujuk kepada Haji Ibrahim berkaitan masalah dobi untuk pakaian sepanjang kejohanan, jawapan mudah yang diberikan adalah beliau tiada bajet dan pihak persatuan tidak mempunyai duit. Begitu juga ketika para atlit membuat aduan tentang makanan yang disediakan oleh pihak penganjur tidak bersesuaian dimana mereka menyediakan kari masala ketika breakfast,lunch dan dinner. Haji Ibrahim hanya berkata yang beliau tidak boleh membuat apa-apa kerana itu yang disediakan oleh pihak penganjur dan kita terpaksa makan, tetapi apabila pengurus pasukan hong kong atau china (jika tidak silap saya), mereka membuat aduan untuk ubahan menu makanan,terus pada keesokan harinya menu makanan diubah dan ditambah dengan masakan chinese food. Ini menunjukkan tiada usaha yang dilakukan oleh pengurus pasukan kita berbanding negara lain. Dalam erti kata lain kalah sebelum bertanding.

Para pembaca sekalian, tujuan utama saya ‘tweet’ ketika berlakunya insiden tersebut adalah pertama kerana terkejut dan marah dengan apa yang berlaku kerana masih tiada perubahan didalam pengurusan oleh pihak persatuan dan perkara ini tidak sepatutnya lagi berlaku kerana berbasikal adalah salah satu sukan teras yang menjadi harapan untuk membawa pulang pingat emas pertama di Sukan Olimpik. Semua orang dapat lihat, telah berlakunya perubahan drastik didalam pencapaian atlet berbasikal diperingkat negara dan antarabangsa tetapi busuknya apabila prestasi pentadbiran masih ditakuk yang kuno!.

Keduanya, ini adalah tanggungjawab saya sebagai salah seorang pelumba elit negara untuk memperbetulkan permasalahan ini dan menolong adik-adik dan generasi seterusnya supaya mereka tidak ditimpa dengan insiden yang sama lagi. Saya mengambil peluang menggunakan status saya sebagai public figure dan ikon sukan berbasikal negara untuk menyuarakan perkara ini agar menjadi perhatian pelbagai pihak dan isu ini dapat dikupas demi kemajuan sukan berbasikal Malaysia. Bayangkan jika yang menyuarakan isu ini adalah dari kalangan pelumba junior, adakah isu ini akan menjadi ‘big wave’ seperti apa yang berlaku sekarang ini?

Tidak perlu saya menceritakan segala keaiban yang berlaku di Kejohanan ACC tempoh hari ataupun pada kejohanan sebelum ini kerana ianya akan lari dari nawaitu sebenar. Setiap perkara yang berlaku mempunyai sebab dan akibatnya dan yang paling penting adalah iktibar dan pengajaran yang harus diambil untuk melakukan perubahan dan seterusnya dijadikan pengisian untuk masa hadapan.

Kepada sesetengah pihak, kita harus sedar yang kita sudah berada di era yang baru. Berita dapat disebarkan keseluruh dunia dalam beberapa saat sahaja dan yang paling penting kebenaran tidak dapat dikaburi. Kita semua tidak dapat menafikan kuasa ‘social media’ adalah diluar jangkaan kotak pemikiran manusia dimana dunia yang terbentang luas ini telah menjadi amat kecil.

Dengan meledaknya isu ini, saya berharap sekurang-kurangnya, mereka yang tidak ikhlas didalam arena berbasikal ini akan takut untuk melakukan kesalahan pada masa hadapan. Rakan-rakan sekalian, amanah adalah suatu tanggungjawab yang besar diatas muka bumi, sebagai seorang beragama islam, amanah haruslah dijaga kerana ianya dituntut oleh Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. Sabda beliau,

“Tidak sempurna iman bagi orang yang tidak beramanah dan tidak diterima sembahyang orang yang tidak bersuci dan tidak sempurna agama, orang yang tidak diterima sembahyangnya- (Riwayat At-Tabrani). Sebagai seorang atlit, amanah yang diberikan untuk berjuang menaikkan martabat sukan negara mestilah di turuti. Begitu juga dengan tanggungjawab dan amanah bagi pihak lain juga. Mungkin didunia kita dapat lari dari kesalahan tetapi ingatlah akan datangnya akhirat nanti.

Saya menyeru kepada semua pihak untuk bangkit menjadi lebih matang dalam menyelesaikan sesuatu isu. Ini bukan medan untuk menuding jari sesama sendiri. Marilah sama-sama kita mengambil iktibar dari perkara yang telah berlaku dan yang paling penting adalah melakukan perubahan demi perubahan untuk kemajuan sukan lumba basikal negara.

Yang mengharapkan perubahan

AZIZULAWANG

Azizul to use ACC to gauge his form

PETALING JAYA: Olympic cyclist Azizulhasni Awang plans to gauge his form at the Asian Cycling Championships (ACC) in New Delhi from March 7-17. Azizul could only have a short preparation for the ACC due to a visa snag which delayed his return to rejoin national coach John Beasley at the national training camp in Melbourne. The 26-year-old also skipped the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Minsk from Feb 20-24. The ACC will also be the first proper international competition for Azizul since he competed in the London Olympics last August. The Dungun rider finished sixth in the keirin final in London. “The ACC marks my return to competition after the London Olympics ... I had a long break and also welcomed my daughter Amna Maryam last November,” said Azizul, who’ll leave for India this weekend. “Then my training programme suffered because of the visa snag ... so, I’m taking the ACC this time as more of a training session. “It will also be a good stage for me to gauge where I stand. It’ll give me an idea of what and where I need to improve when I return to training.”

Azizulhasni: Tajaan Sime Darby pembakar semangat Read more at: http://www.astroawani.com/news/show/azizulhasni-tajaan-sime-darby-pembakar-semangat

KUALA LUMPUR: Pelumba basikal trek negara, Azizulhasni Awang menyifatkan kepercayaan berterusan daripada Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) sebagai pembakar semangat kepadanya untuk membutirkan pingat di Olimpik Rio 2016. YSD pada Selasa telah memperuntukkan penajaan sebanyak RM2.85 juta kepada Azizul dan seorang lagi pelumba, Fatehah Mustapa. "Sebenarnya kita berkemampuan untuk memenangi pingat di kejohanan antarabangsa dan Olimpik... walaupun kita gagal raih pingat di Olimpik lampau kita bukan gagal sekali dan selamanya... sebenarnya kita mampu dan berusaha lebih keras lagi," kata Azizul. Menerusi pembiayaan YSD sebelum ini, Azizul layak ke final acara keirin individu lelaki di sukan Olimpik London. Turut cemerlang, Fatehah yang berjaya menempatkan diri buat kali pertama pada temasya terbesar di dunia itu, tahun lalu. Lantas, tidak mustahil dengan tumpuan hanya diberikan kepada dua pelumba ini, impian negara untuk melihat pingat dari sukan berbasikal trek di Olimpik bakal tercapai. Azizul dan Fatehah akan memulakan program ‘Road to Rio 2016’ dengan penyertaan ke kejohanan berbasikal Asia ACC Delhi di India, bulan depan. 

Berita mula diterbitkan pada: Februari 26, 2013 22:20 (MYT) Tag: Yayasan Sime Darby, YSD, Azizulhasni Awang, Fatehah Mustapa Read more at: http://www.astroawani.com/news/show/azizulhasni-tajaan-sime-darby-pembakar-semangat-8609?cp

2.85j untuk Azizulhasni, Fatehah

(dari kiri) Mohd Azizulhasni, John Beasley dan Fatehah menunjukkan replika cek bernilai RM2.85 juta tajaan Yayasan Sime Darby untuk persiapan mereka ke Sukan Olimpik Rio 2016 di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.




 KUALA LUMPUR - Yayasan Sime Darby semalam menyerahkan tajaan RM2.85 juta kepada dua pelumba basikal trek negara, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang dan Fatehah Mustapa sebagai persiapan mereka ke Sukan Olimpik Rio 2016 di Brazil. Pengerusinya, Tun Musa Hitam berkata, tajaan tersebut membolehkan kedua-duanya menyertai sebanyak 42 kejohanan sebelum Sukan Olimpik. Tambah Musa, penajaan tersebut diberikan berdasarkan prestasi baik mereka semasa menyertai Sukan Olimpik London tahun lalu. Malah, Musa berharap Azizulhasni dan Fatehah mampu meraih pingat pertama dalam sukan berbasikal di Temasya Rio 2016. "Azizulhasni dan Fatehah telah mencipta sejarah tersendiri terutama untuk layak ke Sukan Olimpik pada tahun lalu. "Sungguhpun kita tidak memenangi pingat pada temasya berprestij itu, namun aksi mereka bersaing dengan pelumba terbaik dunia menjadi satu memori indah," katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis itu di sini, semalam. Yang turut hadir Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong, ahli majlis Yayasan Sime Darby, Datin Zaitoon Othman dan ketua jurulatih skuad kebangsaan, John Beasley. Yayasan Sime Darby juga sebelum ini pernah menaja program biasiswa akademik buat Azizulhasni untuk membolehkannya mengikuti pengajian dalam bidang pengurusan sukan di Universiti Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. Begitu juga Fatehah yang meneruskan pengajian bidang pemasaran perniagaan di universiti sama. Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Sukan/20130227/su_06/285j-untuk-Azizulhasni-Fatehah#ixzz2M4VIvfzA © Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd

Quiet birthday do for Azizul as visa snag delays return to Melbourne

Family time: National cyclist Azizulhasni Awang enjoyed a quiet 25th birthday do with his wife and three-month old baby girl.

PETALING JAYA:
National cyclist Azizulhasni Awang enjoyed a quiet 25th birthday do yesterday as his plan to return to Melbourne for training hangs in the balance. The London Olympic finalist in keirin has yet to receive his student visa and has had to hold off his return to the national cycling team base in Melbourne, under coach John Beasley, since last month. It will be a relatively slow year for Azizul as he will not be competing in the World Track Championships in Belarus next month after failing to gain qualification points in the World Cup legs. Qualification is through the three World Cup legs for the 2012-2013 season in Cali, Colombia, (October); Glasgow (November); and Aguascalientes, Mexico (January). Azizul did not compete in any of the three legs. Azizul also did not earn direct entry through the Asian Cycling Championships as that honour went to Josiah Ng, who won the keirin final in last year’s edition held in Kuala Lumpur in February. And Azizul may give the Asian Cycling Championships in India in March a miss as well if he’s not in the best shape. Azizul has two World Championships silver medals and also won the keirin and sprint titles at the Asian Cycling Championships previously. “That (the Asian Cycling Championships in India) depends on coach John ... if he feels I am still not ready for competition,” said Azizul. “I was supposed to go back to Melbourne last month but I could not get my visa sorted out. “I have no choice but to wait. It’s okay if I have to wait until the later part of the year for the track season to start again as I’ll have more time to prepare. “The Olympic qualification period is only due to start from 2014 and I’ll probably compete in selected Grand Prix races. “For now, I’m just training on the road in Ipoh.” Azizul chose to spend his birthday with his wife Athiah Ilyana Abdul Samad and their three-month old baby girl, Amna Maryam. “This is the first time I am celebrating my birthday as a father. We cooked and ate together at home,” he said.