Nilai: National track cycling head coach Harnizam Basri admitted he has yet to identify anyone truly capable of replacing John Beasley should the national squad's technical director leave the national camp. Harnizam described the 64-year-old Australian coach's contribution and legacy as simply too significant to replace, saying his achievements over two decades with the national team speak for themselves.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Harnizam remarked, "His achievements are countless. If you search on Wikipedia or Google, you will find an extensive list of his accomplishments. Like it or not, if he is no longer with us, we still have to carry on," he told reporters during a recent national squad training session at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

He was commenting on Beasley's future, with the veteran coach's contract with the national track cycling team set to expire in January next year. Beasley recently came under the spotlight following media reports claiming he could step down earlier than expected due to dissatisfaction over several internal issues.

Beasley took charge of the national track cycling squad in 2006 and played a pivotal role in developing local riders, most notably Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang. Under Beasley's guidance, Mohd Azizulhasni rose from a promising youngster to become a world-class keirin rider, winning the 2017 world title as well as two Olympic medals -- bronze at Rio 2016 and silver at Tokyo 2020.

Asked whether efforts were being made to persuade Beasley to stay or to identify a successor, Harnizam admitted the task would not be easy. "At the moment, I don't see anyone who is on par with him (to replace him)," he said.

He added that if Beasley were to leave, the coaching team and relevant stakeholders would need to revisit and revamp the squad's long-term training programme. "We need to review and identify what we will no longer be able to do without his presence," he said.