‘It’s a YES!’ – Tears of Joy from Azizulhasni as Journey to LA28 Continues

TEARS of joy accompanied the outpouring of emotions from national track cycling ace Datuk Azizulhasni Awang after receiving confirmation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and the National Sports Council (MSN) that his services are still needed in the mission to hunt for a ticket to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28).

Azizulhasni, affectionately known as Jijoe, said he received the news via email from KBS and MSN after completing his training session on the track on Monday, which relieved the pressure he had been bearing throughout the past week.

“Alhamdulillah, today is 31 August, the 69th National Day. I just opened my email on the track after the training session, after a week. Indeed, throughout this week I couldn’t train properly. When I went to train, my mind was blank.

“(Today) I opened my email and received an email from KBS and MSN that they still need my services. I was waiting before I go to the Commonwealth Games (Glasgow 2026) and Alhamdulillah, today I received that answer,” he said emotionally, shedding tears of joy.

Previously, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (PKBM) had informed that it received confirmation from MSN that Azizulhasni would continue his efforts to accumulate Olympic qualification points through the keirin and sprint events.

PKBM President Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said the decision allows Azizulhasni to focus on the qualification campaign, which begins with the UCI 2026 Track World Championships in Shanghai, China, this October.

He said PKBM also discussed with MSN the qualification pathway and the competitions that need to be participated in throughout the ticket-hunting period for LA28.

Azizulhasni, famously known as ‘The Pocket Rocketman’, also expressed his appreciation to Malaysians who continue to give him support, including through messages and comments on social media.

“Not everyone understands this feeling. If you haven’t gone through it, you won’t understand. Only true athletes, only those who have truly sacrificed for the country, understand how it feels.

“I want to say a thousand thanks to all Malaysians. I never asked anyone to support or help me, but I am truly, truly grateful to all Malaysians who came forward to support me,” he said.

The 2017 keirin world champion is now reviving his dream of making history by hunting for a sixth Olympic appearance, having won silver in Tokyo 2020 and bronze in Rio 2016.

“As always, I will do my best for my beloved country and for all of you,” he said.

Sinar Harian