MNCF Has No Plans To Recall Riders Competing In Tour Of Thailand After Explosion

KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) will not recall five national cyclists competing in the Tour of Thailand in Chiangrai, following a car bomb explosion at a hotel in Hat Yai, South Thailand on Saturday. MNCF Deputy President Naim Mohamad said the explosion had nothing to do with the Tour of Thailand 2012 because the motive was different. "The explosion happened in Hat Yai and did not involve any other provinces so there is no reason to be worried," he told Bernama here Sunday. Naim said the federation would however, monitor the situation to ensure the safety of all riders while they are in the country. "I don't think the explosion will disrupt the Tour or douse the spirit of the riders who will be in Thailand until April 7," he said. Five Malaysian riders - Suhardi Hassan, Muhd Fauzan Ahmad Lufti, Muhammad Rauf Nur Misbah, Amir Mustafa Rusli and Muhammed Nur Rizuan Zainal - are competing in the Tour. On Saturday, a powerful bomb ripped through a hotel mid-day, killing eight people, including a Malaysian, while many others were injured. -- BERNAMA