KUCHING: Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) will hold the final selection of cyclists for Sukma 2014 from Sept 21 to 22.
This was stated recently by MSNS cycling coach, Zulkiflee Hassan, who also called on those short-listed to take part in the selection at the foothill of Bukit Siol along Jalan Semariang.
“We are having the final selection here in conjunction with the Siol Extreme National MTB GP Circuit which is being held at Bukit Siol this weekend,” he told The Borneo Post.
The coach said this weekend’s event is a good avenue for local Sukma hopefuls to show their worth because top mountain bikers from other states are also taking part.
Sarawak won two gold medals from cycling at last year’s Sukma in Pahang and aims to improve its tally in next year’s Sukma in Perlis.
Zulkiflee disclosed that those expected to join the Bukit Siol event include Gary Tay from Team Corbusier and Hamif Kamaluddin from SMK Semerah Padi.
But some state riders like Rosnina Minggu, Kathleen Wang and Awang Adib Awang Sufian, who will be sitting for their SPM exams soon, may have to skip the event.
Top national cyclists such as Sharil Aizat, Zamri Salleh and Sarawak’s Junaidah Juss are also expected to join in the action this weekend.
Zulkiflee expressed the hope that Bukit Siol can become one of the potential venues for mountain bike races in Sukma 2016 to be hosted by Sarawak.
“If that’s the case, then we must prepare our riders early,” he added.