Ahmad Shabery hails the presence of large number of fans at LTdL

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KEMAMAN: Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek has hailed the presence of a large number of spectators at the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), saying it shows that Malaysians are all for the national athletes and the country’s sports.

The positive development also showed that Malaysia was moving towards becoming a sporting nation, he told reporters here yesterday.

Ahmad Shabery, who is Kemaman member of parliament, earlier handed over jerseys to the winners of the tour’s stage eight from Pekan to Chukai.

National cyclist Mohd Harrif Salleh claimed a podium finish after emerging second in yesterday’s race.

Ahmad Shabery said the solid support from the local fans had spurred raised the national cyclists to perform better after a poor start.

The 17th edition of LTdL this year, features 14 Malaysian cyclists, nine of them from Terengganu. They are Adiq Husainie Othman and Anuar Manan of the Champion System team; Mohd Harrif Salleh, Mohd Zamri Salleh, Mohd Saufi Mat Senan and Shahrul Mat Amin of Terengganu Cycling Team, and Ahmad Fallanie Ali, Amir Mustafa Rusli and Mohd Nor Rizuan Zainal of the Malaysian team.

Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said expressed the hope that there would be a podium finish from the local cyclists.

“I hope that Terengganu cyclists will be able to spring a surprise and produce the best results in the final stage of the race,” he told Bernama. — Bernama