Kuala lumpur: The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) remains confident that national track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang has what it takes to go for the gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games (LA28).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the confidence was in line with the objective of the Road to Gold (RTG) programme, established to help the country's high-potential athletes realise their dream of winning Malaysia's first Olympic gold medal. He remarked that the confidence in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist was also based on data and facts.

Dr Mohammed Taufiq stated, "What is important is, first, have confidence. Second, that confidence must come with comprehensive implementation and performance," during a press conference after a briefing by the National Sports Council (MSN) on the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and LA28 qualification process at Menara KBS. He was responding to a question regarding his belief in Azizulhasni's potential to secure a gold medal for the country at LA28.

The minister emphasized that KBS's confidence and hopes were not solely resting on Azizulhasni but extended to all athletes in the programme. Earlier, it was confirmed that Azizulhasni, who recently gained attention by winning keirin gold at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, had agreed to continue his mission with the national squad towards LA28.

Dr Mohammed Taufiq revealed that the decision to allow the 38-year-old former world champion to continue his pursuit was made during an MSN Board meeting on August 13. The offer letter was issued two days ago, and KBS received confirmation from Azizulhasni yesterday, indicating his agreement to continue representing the country.

Azizulhasni, who claimed keirin bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics before securing silver in the same event at Tokyo 2020, is still in pursuit of the first Olympic gold medal of his career. At the Paris 2024 edition, his keirin challenge ended in the first round after he was disqualified for overtaking the derny before it left the track during the race at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome.