MNCF gives Timor Leste a lift By Arnaz M. Khairul
MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad (second from left) with Timor Leste ambassador Juvencio Martins (centre) at the press conference of the Tour de Timor yesterday. Also present were MNCF vice president Maniam Manikkam (second from right) and national cyclists Norshahrin Haizat (left) and Sharin Amir.
TIMOR Leste, which was once ravaged by political unrest, opens its doors to the world with cycling set to play a prominent role.
The inaugural Tour de Timor on Aug 24-28, announced in Petaling Jaya yesterday, will be the first ever international sporting event hosted by Timor Leste as it prepares for its 10th independence anniversary on Aug 28,The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) will help Timor Leste stage the Tour de Timor, which is the brainchild of the country's president, Dr Jose Ramos Horta.The four-stage race, for both men and women, covers 400 kilometres and offers US$75,000 (RM262,500) in prize money."About 80 per cent of the route will be on tarmac, but there will also be river crossings and a climb to a peak at 1,800 metres above sea level," said Tour de Timor public relations manager Sean Borrell at a press conference in Petaling Jaya yesterday. Also present was Timor Leste ambassador Juvencio Martins and Tour de Timor representative Datuk V.J. Balan
MNCF was represented by its deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad, vice president Maniam Manikkam and treasurer Amrun Misnoh.The Tour de Timor will receive technical support from the Asean Cycling Association (ACA), of which Maniam is secretary general."For us, this is not about doing a mega event. It is about doing a service to cycling. We are honoured that of all sports, cycling will be the first international event to be staged in Timor Leste," said Maniam."We're already working to help Timor Leste develop its cycling basics and hopefully, through this, we can soon see them compete in at least the Sea Games."Naim said the MNCF will send eight national riders to the Tour de Timor."We're also inviting our state affiliates and local clubs to send their cyclists to the race, After that, we can talk about assisting Timor Leste in other areas," said Naim."This is part of our duty to help develop cycling in every part of the world."Borrell said Ramos Horta will be personally involved in the race, having seen the prospects of cycling while spectating the Tour de France several years ago.The Timorese government views the event as a vital tool in the promotion of the country's dictum "Goodbye conflict, welcome development."
