Azizulhasni to be given honour as first to test National Velodrome track

Malaysia's track cycling superstar Azizulhasni Awang will be given the honour to be the first cyclist to test the track at the newly-built National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan before it is put to use for the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the honour was in appreciation of "The Pocket Rocketman" for bringing glory to the country.

"Azizulhasni will be returning to Malaysia tonight and I have asked him to check out the track next week," he told reporters after launching the KL2017@Sekolah programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Tun Dr Ismail (2), here, today.

Construction of the velodrome costing RM80 million started in 2015. The project was undertaken by the Public Works Department.

Azizulhasni, a bronze medallist at last year's Rio Olympics, won the keirin event at the UCI Track Cycling World Championship in Hong Kong last week.

At today's event, Khairy pulled off a surprise by coming in as the 'Rimau' mascot of the SEA Games before opening the school's Sports Day.

He said the gimmick was to get the people in the spirit to welcome the KL SEA Games and KL ASEAN Para Games which will be held from Aug 19-30 and Sept 17-23 respectively. -BERNAMA