IPOH: The track cycling event at this year’s Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Perak has been cancelled as the Velodrome Rakyat which was supposed to be the venue has been deemed unsafe.
The cancellation was announced by state human capital development, sports and youth committee chairman Howard Lee Chuan How after an inspection of the Velodrome here earlier today.
"The flooring has decayed and there are parts of it jutting out. I will make sure that no Perak athlete or for that matter athletes from other states cycle and compete on this track which is in a deplorable state,” he said.
Even though the track cycling event is supposed to offer 12 gold medals, Howard is adamant that the athletes do not end up being victims of the current situation.
However Howard assured that the road and hill cycling events would still be contested.
"There are still 12 gold medals up for grabs, so the state teams can try to win those that are still being contested.
"I apologise to the affected athletes because there will be no events allowed to take place on the track when it is in such a state,” he stressed.
Howard was visibly upset because the cost to repair the Velodrome involved an outlay of RM11 million but in the end it still cannot be used for the Games.
"This is not the time to find fault with anyone but for all sides involved to answer all the questions especially from the Rakyat.
"Because this involves the Rakyat’s money, therefore there needs to be some form of enforcement and monitoring concerning the use, management and maintenance of the Velodrome. We will call those involved to get more information and answers,” said Howard.
Apart from inspecting the Velodrome Rakyat, Howard who was accompanied by former secretary to the state government, Datuk Seri Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan, also inspected the Perak Stadium, the lawn bowls venue and the shooting range in Chepor.