Big responsibilty for Josiah Ng Onn Lam

Cycling: Josiah's position uncertain

By : Arnaz M. Khairul

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JOSIAH Ng must enter the Beijing Olympics with more than a mission, as his place in the 2012 Olympic programme isn't exactly secure.

While Josiah is on the list of athletes under the programme for the next Olympics, and the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) track committee chairman pledging his confidence in the aging star's ability, he still has a big job to complete.

MNCF track committee chairman Datuk Naim Mohamad said with the rise of the next generation of cyclists already starting to show, Josiah will be part of the programme as long as he maintains his position at the world level.

"We are not thinking of doing without him or anything like that. But we're also looking to bring more promising youngsters to the fore," said Naim.

"So far, as with Azizul (Hasni Awang), Rizal (Tisin) and Edrus (Yunus), the youngsters are showing they can get up to the top level, so Josiah's position may not be guaranteed 100 percent in the future."
Naim added that former World Cup keirin champion and world No 1 Josiah being a professional rider, should mean that he will be able to meet the demands.

"He's done well to also market himself and bring his own sponsors, which shows that Josiah is capable of taking care of himself, not relying fully on us," said Naim.

"This is what the youngsters should strive to achieve.

"But there is a limited number of riders the national programme can support, so soon they will all have to fight for their positions."



Currently, sprints coach John Beasley has Josiah, Azizul, Rizal, Edrus, Junaidi Nasir and Fatehah Mustapa under his wings at the team's permanent base in Melbourne, Australia.

Of the six, four have qualified for the Beijing Olympics.

The 2012 Olympic programme also includes the local based endurance and pursuit squad, as well as the road team.