National track cycling head coach John Beasley is in a race against time to get a research and innovation grant approved by the government. – Bernama pic KUALA LUMPUR: National track cycling head coach John Beasley is in a race against time to get a research and innovation grant approved by the government.
The grant could make the difference between Malaysia winning and losing a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
It is to allow the national elite squad to undergo various tests — most importantly wind tunnel testing — to update the Vorteq WX-R bike they use as well as to find their optimal riding positions.
Beasley disclosed that the allocation was originally given the green light by the Sports Ministry late last year but has yet to be given the final approval by authorities higher up.
"I wish I could answer that (whether there will be updates to bike) positively. It has been a frustrating time for us," said Beasley when met at the Nilai Velodrome recently.
"We got the (initial) okay (for grant) last October and thought that it would be signed off on and would be able to start work in the wind tunnel by the first quarter of this year.
"People had to sign off on it at the Sports Ministry level. We did get the signature, and from there it went higher up but got stuck there."The Ministry of Finance is the last hurdle to clear and with the change of government we were stuck."We are at a critical […]
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