Hafiz gets Asia Cup lifeline

Hafiz gets Asia Cup lifeline

THOUGH the non-performers in the elite squad seem to be living on borrowed time, a last-minute decision may see Hafiz Sufian joining an already trimmed-down national team for the ACC Track Asia Cup in Hokudate, Japan.

The Asia Cup squad comprise only World Championships silver medallist Azizul Hasni Awang, Rizal Tisin and Edrus Yunos while Asian Championships silver medallist Hafiz's inclusion is still being evaluated by head coach John Beasley.

The squad, preparing for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in October and November respectively, will leave their Melbourne base tomorrow and head for Japan with a transit at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

There is not much pressure on the team to deliver in the Japan assignment although the team sprint combination will be closely monitored in view of preparations for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

Some of the remaining riders in the 11-member elite squad in Melbourne may be dropped when the team are trimmed down to only those with potential to deliver.

National track team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad said their performances will have to be reviewed from now as the main target of the squad, the 2012 Olympics, is only two years away.

"The Asian Games and Commonwealth Games will now be the main focus. There is no time to waste in getting the riders up to a certain level," said Naim.

"From now, we can only afford to put all our support behind those who can deliver. Together with the coaching staff, we will have to review the squad.

"An issue will be the riders' commitment to the cause and whether they've shown improvement in training and competition. We will have to move forward with a trimmed squad that will receive total commitment from the team set-up."

Naim declined to name the riders being reviewed but the high-profile casualties could be the long-serving but injury-prone Junaidi Nasir. Though Edrus is boarding the flight to Japan, his future in the elite squad is also not guaranteed.

"The riders will be reviewed based on their performances and commitment. Nobody has been dropped yet," said Naim. -- ARNAZ M. KHAIRUL

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