Naim to step down as deputy president of MNCF *new!

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LONDON: Malaysia’s cycling contingent manager to the London Olympics, Datuk Naim Mohamad will be stepping down as deputy president of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) following the contingent’s failure to deliver a single medal for the country at the biggest sporting event in the world.

Naim said that although he was just re-elected as deputy president of MNCF at the federation’s annual general meeting June, the decision was in taking responsibility for the performance of the cycling contingent.

“I did all I could, in terms of providing riders of calibre, finding sponsors and various other efforts in our quest to secure Malaysia’s first gold medal in cycling in the Olympics.

“Having failed, I feel I should step down from my post so that there can be a replacement who has new ideas to continue the quest at the next Olympics in Barzil in 2016,” he said when contacted by Bernama here Wednesday.

Malaysia’s best hope for a medal in cycling, Mohd Azizulhasni Awang yesterday only managed to finish in sixth place in the final of the men’s keirin individual while the other cyclists who competed in the road events fared poorly.

Naim said Mohd Azizulhasni did his best but poor strategy could have cost him a podium finish.

“I am quitting not because I am disappointed with the performance of the national riders but to give room for new faces in MNCF to come up with fresh ideas for the development of cycling sports in Malaysia,” he said.

However, he did not give a date when the resignation would be effective, saying that he would also need some time to groom the new leaders.

“However, definitely before the Brazil Olympics,” he said.

The term of the new office bearers in MNCF ends in 2015. –Bernama