Parents of KLCA cyclists fume as kids abandoned alone by roadside

Group voices concerns over children’s safety as they report younger athletes will be left behind to fend for themselves if they fail to keep up with elite team

By
Faizal Salim
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Parents of KLCA athletes gather to voice their concerns on the safety of their children under the management of the cycling body, alleging that the young cyclists were left behind to fend for themselves if they fail to keep with the elite team. Also present was new KLCA president Datuk Razlan Razali (centre in white T-shirt) who was reported to have resigned on Wednesday after a heated council meeting. – Alif Omar/Scoop pic, March 23, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR – Parents of Kuala Lumpur Cycling Association (KLCA) cyclists have expressed their anger at coach Datuk Ng Joo Ngan for allegedly putting their children’s safety at risk.

According to them, the cyclists were left at the side of the road after failing to keep pace with the elite team. 

Parent representative Nor Azila Ab Razak said in a press conference here today that the youth squad would often go out and train with the elite team. 

“But when you are 13 to 16 years old, it will be difficult to keep pace with older, more experienced riders. 

“When these youngsters get tired, they will have to stop to take a breather. However, the coach would just move on with the other elite cyclists, leaving them by the roadside. 

Parent representative Nor Azila Ab Razak (right) shares that her 13-year-old daughter was abandoned alone three times in Bukit Hantu, Hulu Langat where it is difficult to get phone signals. – Alif Omar/Scoop pic, March 23, 2024

“My 13-year-old daughter was one of those who was just left all alone at the side of the road, away from the coaches’ and parents’ supervision. 

“She has been left all by herself three times in Bukit Hantu, Hulu Langat area, where it is quiet, remote, and difficult to get phone signals,” said the 41-year-old parent of Nur Dayana Qamelia Nazrul Nizam. 

Nor Azila said that her husband would normally go and find their daughter as the youngster would ride her bike up a hill just to get cellphone service so that she could call her father. 

“If you are a parent, how would you feel? Your 13-year-old daughter was left all alone to fend for herself, and this has happened to other junior cyclists as well.” 

She added that the riders are also not provided with food while training for long distances. 

“When they go for long rides, they will travel over 100km.

“Each rider will only have one bottle of water as they will not be provided with replenishments,” said Nor Azila. 

Young cyclist Nur Dayana says she was concerned for her safety as she was left alone in remote locations. – Alif Omar/Scoop pic, March 23, 2024

Meanwhile, youngster Nur Dayana said that she will always be worried for her safety as the area where she was left all alone was a long way from a town or city. 

“It was close to an Orang Asli village and it was pretty remote. I was afraid that I could have been kidnapped or anything untoward could happen to me. 

“I was really sad that I was left all alone by my coach. Why would he do that? I can’t keep pace with the elite team,” she said. – March 23, 2024 

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