The refurbished Velodrome Rakyat track has been officially homologated by the International Cycling Union (UCI) today.
This was confirmed by Vice President of Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill upon his return from Aigle, Switzerland.
Based on the inspection conducted by UCI Head of Track, Mr Gilles Peruzzi, the UCI has given its seal of approval and has certified that Velodrome Rakyat has complied with all the requirements for the said track to be homologated.
“I am delighted to inform that Velodrome Rakyat has finally been homologated and I have personally collected the original Velodrome Homologation Certificate from Aigle,” said Amarjit who is also the UCI Management Board Member.
With the certification and homologation all done, this velodrome is now ready to host and organise international and local tournaments.
As per the dateline given by Howard Lee, Perak State EXCO for Youth, Sports and Character Building, that the work at the track and homologation to be completed by the first week of August, MNCF has ensured that this was done within the agreed time frame. PCA will be sending a copy of the said certificate to the office of Howard Lee for his immediate attention.
Amarjit who is also the President of Perak Cycling Association (PCA) thanked Howard Lee for his support given towards cycling.
As for plans for track events, Amarjit said that the immediate focus will be on SUKMA which is scheduled next month and thereafter he will discuss with MNCF as to organising development programmes in Ipoh including local grassroots programme focusing on Northern Zone.
PCA had in 2015 made a request to the government to repair the wooden track of Velodrome Rakyat which was in a deplorable state. Based on the request and with the support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the government agreed to upgrade the velodrome’s track and its facilities.
For the record, the first velodrome in the country was built from door-to-door public donation drive by Tan Sri Darshan Singh in 1984 after getting the blessing of the late Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak, thus called the People’s Velodrome (Velodrome Rakyat).
