KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill has been elected as the new Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president.
The national body held an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) at a hotel in Melaka today to select a new president to replace Datuk Abu Samah Wahab who had helmed the association from 1990 until his demise last year.
Amarjit (Perak), who was previously MNCF vice president, defeated Yunus Ibrahim (Negri Sembilan) 35-23 in what was essentially a straight fight. Mazlan Md Jail (Terengganu), who is MNCF deputy president, did not receive any votes.
Mazlan, who had served as interim president after Abu Samah passed away, had opposed the EGM and did not attend. Representatives from Terengganu also stayed away from the EGM.
Amarjit will now lead MNCF until the end of the current term in 2026. The last MNCF AGM-cum-elections were held in February last year.
The Perak Cycling Association president believes there are no issues with the validity of his victory today.
"It was decided at the MNCF AGM last month that an EGM would be held to choose the new president," said Amarjit when contacted today.
"The fact that 15 out 16 of our affiliates showed up for the EGM today shows their overwhelming support. The EGM was carried out in a peaceful and happy atmosphere.
"Mazlan will remain as deputy president while my previous post as vice president will remain vacant until the next AGM-elections in 2026 as it is not a crucial position.
"I invite everyone to come together and work for the betterment of the sport, regardless of whether they have won or lost. It requires a team effort to develop the sport."
Amarjit's victory comes as no surprise as he has long been earmarked to follow in his father's footsteps - Tan Sri Darshan Singh - who was MNCF president between 1988-1990.
Amarjit certainly has the credentials as besides his domestic experience, he is also a current UCI management committee member and was also appointed as the Asean Cycling Federation's first secretary-general last year.
Amarjit said among the main issues he is looking to address as president is funding for the national road cycling team, which has been running on fumes in recent seasons.
"I hope to speak to the Youth and Sports Minister (Hannah Yeoh) and her ministry about the road programme soon," said Amarjit.
"I am not able to reveal anything in detail for now. The objective is to discuss this matter with the minister and see if we can come to an understanding about this programme."
Amarjit added that he will remain as chairman of the track cycling committee though said there could be minor changes made to the other portfolios under MNCF soon.