KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) is looking to build a BMX Centre of Excellence for Asia in Johor.
MNCF president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said that he has discussed the matter with the world body UCI and the latter have given their approval.
"The establishment of the BMX Centre of Excellence for Asia was discussed during the UCI executive committee meeting recently," said Amarjit in a statement released today.
"UCI have agreed to select Malaysia as the location for the centre.
"Johor is the location where MNCF will build this centre. All the paperwork has been submitted and I have also met with the director of the World Cycling Centre to discuss this.
"I will also meet with the Youth and Sports Minister (Hannah Yeoh) to discuss this with her. I believe having such a centre here will help Malaysia become a powerhouse in the BMX discipline in the future."
The idea of having the centre in Malaysia is not new as former MNCF president, the late Datuk Abu Samah Wahab, had previously announced plans to build such a centre in either Melaka or Selangor in 2014 though the project did not take off.
Amarjit, however, is determined to see the centre become a reality.
"The situation is different this time. I have strong support from the UCI president and the Asian Cycling Confederation. I will make sure it becomes a reality."
If the centre does become a reality, trainees from around Asia, selected by UCI, will come to train in Malaysia under the guidance of coaches and trainers from UCI.