PUTRAJAYA, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- The failure of the national cycling squad from
winning any medal at the London Olympics is not the sole responsibility of its
manager, Datuk Naim Mohamed.
Hence, Naim decision to quit when his term as deputy president of the
Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) expires in 2014 should be discussed
thoroughly, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
"Datuk Naim has contributed significantly to cycling. He was graceful in
defeat and was willing to take full responsibility, but it was not his failure
alone.
"I rather wait until the Olympics ended before making further comments on
the matter," he told reporters after witnessing the signing a memorandum of
cooperation in the oil and gas industry between the ministry and Petronas here
today.
Naim had targeted three medals in London, including a gold, and to return
home empty-handed was hard for him.
-- MORE
SPORTS-OLYMPICS (AHMAD SHABERY) 2 (LAST) PUTRAJAYA
Ahmad Shabery said Mohd Azizulhasni Awang''s dismal performance in men''s
keirin at the Olympics yesterday was not a total disappointment as he had
qualified for the final and this placed among world''s top six cyclists.
On badminton, he said the Badminton Association Malaysia (BAM) should not be
blamed for Malaysia''s failure to lift a gold medal.
"In fact, we should be grateful to BAM for bringing badminton to the present
level.
"There are other sports which have bigger expenditure, but they are not as
successful as badminton," he said.
Datuk Lee Chong Wei won a silver in men''s single at the London Olympics.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Shabery is banking his hope on diver Pandelela Rinong to
clinch a medal after she made it to the women''s individual 10m platform
semi-finals scheduled for 5pm (Malaysian time).
-- BERNAMA
AHS HK ROS MB
