KUALA LUMPUR: Rumours linking Australian cycling coach John Beasley with a role in Japan remain unconfirmed, although his long-term future in Malaysia appears to be drawing to a close after he informed Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari that he intends to leave when his contract expires on Jan 31, 2027.
The minister confirmed this yesterday, despite the Malaysian National Cycling Federation’s (MNCF) desire for Beasley to remain until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
MNCF president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill, however, dismissed speculation that Beasley was heading to Japan.
“Rumours. Not that I know,” Amarjit told Twentytwo13.
The National Sports Council (NSC) has also sought to ease speculation over Beasley’s immediate future, with director-general Jefri Ngadirin saying the technical director had committed to staying until the Asian Games conclude on Oct 4.
“I don’t know anything about an offer from Japan, but when I met him, Beasley said he was committed to staying until the Asian Games,” Jefri said.
Twentytwo13 has contacted the Japanese Cycling Federation but has yet to receive a response.
Beasley has led Malaysia’s track cycling programme for more than two decades, overseeing one of the country’s most successful periods in the sport.
Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, a product of Malaysia’s cycling development system before joining the elite programme, won Olympic medals at the last two Games under Beasley’s tenure.
Questions over Beasley’s future intensified after he publicly expressed frustration over “politicking” within the local cycling fraternity.
He was also reportedly unhappy that several riders opted to compete at the Malaysia Games (Aug 15-24) instead of the Junior Track World Championships in Belgium (Aug 19-23).
The MNCF has since issued a show-cause letter to a representative of one of its state affiliates for allegedly tarnishing the federation’s reputation by criticising Beasley through improper channels.
Main image: Beasly (fourth from left) with the Malaysian national cycling team in 2022.
