PUTRAJAYA: The Youth and Sports Ministry will consider a proposal to name the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan after the country's track superstar Azizulhasni Awang.
Its minister Khairy Jamaluddin said he would discuss with Azizulhasni, also known as the Pocket Rocket Man, on the proposal when the cyclist returns to Malaysia this Sunday.
"This is something we can consider. But I will have to discuss it with Azizulhasni. I believe he is not someone who want to be glorified (in such a manner) as his career is still ongoing.
"I know him and he is a very focus person. I don't think he wants such a limelight so early on. I will talk to him about that," said Khairy.
The minister also described Azizulhasni's achievement of clinching the gold medal in the keirin event at the 2017 Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong on Thursday as "extraordinary".
Khairy said Azizulhasni's success could be considered as among the greatest achievements in the nation’s sporting history.
"He won in style in the last lap, leaving his closest competitor a few seconds behind. For a sprint event such as this, it is considered a great victory just like (record-breaking sprinter) Usain Bolt."
It was the first ever world cycling title for Malaysia. The gold medal completed Azizulhasni's collection of world medals as the 29-year-old had previously won silver and bronze.