MNCF Targeting Two Medals At 2019 Asian BMX Championships

SEPANG (Selangor, Malaysia) April 3 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) is targeting at least two medals at the 2019 Asian BMX Championships at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan on April 13 and 14. MNCF president Abu Samah Abdul Wahab said hopes were placed on national youth riders, Eddyna Nasuhar Zainal Abidin, and Siti Shahirah Hashim, the latter of whom had won the bronze at the same championship in Thailand last year. "I was told that these Terengganu-born riders are very talented and able to pull off a shocker. Due to this, the MNCF believes Siti Shahirah (in particular) can perform exceptionally well on home turf," Abu Samah said during a press conference to announce the lineup for the championship here, Wednesday. Commenting further, Abu Samah said 353 participants including 145 foreigners from 10 countries including Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand had confirmed their participation in the two-day competition involving various categories for those aged five to 40. Meanwhile, Abu Samah said that the Freestyle BMX event would not be contested at the championship if there were less than four teams participating. He said Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines had previously indicated they would be sending participants for the event, but there had been no formal entries to date. “If we get at least bronze in this event, it will be a great opportunity for us to ask the National Sports Council and the Olympic Council of Malaysia for us to be considered in taking part (in the event) at the upcoming SEA Games (in the Philippines)," explained Abu Samah. -- BERNAMA