02/06/2026

SPORTS TUESDAY | JUNE 2, 2026

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N ATIONAL track cycling ace Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, who was conferred the “Darjah Bakti” by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, yesterday, described the award as a timely boost ahead of his final appearances at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games this year. The 38-year-old, nicknamed the Pocket Rocketman, was the sole recipient of the Darjah Bakti award, which was presented to him by the King during the 2026 Investiture Ceremony in conjunction with His Majesty’s official birthday celebration at Istana Negara. “Soon, there will be the Commonwealth Games (in July), followed by the Asian Games at the end of September. This award will serve as a source of motivation for me as I make my final appearances in both these Games,” he told Bernama after the Investiture Ceremony. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist said

Pocket Rocketman honoured ‘Darjah Bakti’ award provides fresh motivation for Malaysia’s cycling legend

With yesterday’s conferment, Azizulhasni becomes only the third Malaysian athlete to receive the award, joining badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei and squash great Datuk Nicol Ann David, who were honoured in 2021 and 2024, respectively. The award recognises Azizulhasni’s outstand ing dedication, achievements and enduring con tribution to Malaysian sport, particularly in elevat ing the profile of track cycling and enhancing the nation’s reputation on the international stage. – Bernama SHORTS Hakim Danish breaks podium duck WITH a never-say-die attitude as his driving force, Malaysian Moto3 rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli delivered a breakthrough performance to claim his first podium of the season, finishing third at the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello yesterday. The Aeon Credit-MT Helmets-MSi rider was over the moon with the result, saying he gave it everything from the very start of the race and stayed locked in throughout to secure a well-earned podium finish. “The race was very intense. The front group kept changing positions and we were racing at maximum pace from start to finish. I knew one small mistake could change everything. “I was a bit further back on the last lap, but I didn’t give up. I just tried to stay calm and look for opportunities to overtake the other riders one by one, and Alhamdulillah, the strategy paid off and I managed to secure a podium finish,” he said in a statement today. Hakim Danish finished 0.456 seconds behind race winner Brian Uriarte of the Red Bull KTM Ajo team, who clocked a winning time of 33:07.80. Second place went to Uriarte’s teammate Alvaro Carpe (33:08.219). Hakim Danish’s result at the Italian Grand Prix ended Malaysia’s Moto3 podium drought, the first since Khairul Idham Pawi won the 2016 Argentine Grand Prix. TSG chasing Mauritius success THE Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG), an International Cycling Union (UCI) outfit, are targeting two podium finishes at the Tour de Maurice 2026, which will be held in Mauritius from June 2-5. TSG chief operating officer Nasiruddin Wan Idrus said they will be banking on five riders – three Malaysians and two foreigners – to achieve the stipulated target in the UCI Class 2.2 race. “Our five riders are Juan Pedro, Vadim Pronskiy, Nur Aiman Mohd Zarrif, Nur Amirull Fakhruddin Mazuki and Muhammad Qayyim Mohd Saipul Anuwai. “Riders will compete in four stages, covering a distance of 507 kilometres. We expect our riders to face stiff competition. They will also have to contend with many hilly routes reaching up to 2,000 metres, hot weather conditions and the possibility of strong winds,” he said when contacted by Bernama yesterday. He said that as of May 19, TSG, coached by Mohd Saiful Anuar Aziz, were ranked fourth best in Asia and 35th best in the world after collecting 818 points from 17 races globally. He added that with 24 races left and TSG are confident of achieving their target of emerging as Asian champions this season.

Azizulhasni also hoped that the recognition he received would serve as an inspiration to national athletes to continue to work hard and bring glory to Malaysia on the international stage. “If we strive sincerely for the country, consis tently bring honour to the nation and uphold its good name, insya-Allah , our efforts will be appre ciated. “The most important thing is to pursue success first and to give our very best for the country we love, and everything else will follow, insya-Allah ,” he said.

receiving the award was one of the most meaning ful moments of his career as a national athlete. He also described the recognition as a great honour, noting that the Darjah Bakti is among the nation’s highest awards, as it is limited to only 10 living recipients at any one time. “At first, I could hardly believe it, but when I was informed about it, I accepted it with immense gratitude and great honour,” he said. He also expressed his deepest gratitude to His Majesty for graciously conferring the award upon him.

Aruwin relocates to United States

National skiing athlete Aruwin Salehhuddin. – BERNAMAPIC

FORMER national striker Mohd Safee Mohd Sali believes the absence of friendly matches ahead of international assignments will not necessarily disad vantage the Harimau Malaya squad, provided players make full use of their time training together. He said friendly matches are indeed important as a preparation platform, but intensive training in the national camp can also help players improve their tactical understanding and build team chemistry. AFTER spending the last eight years training in Europe, national alpine skier Aruwin Salehhuddin is set to relocate her training base to the United States (US) beginning this October. The 22-year-old said the move was largely influenced by her decision to further her stud ies at Boston University, where she will pursue a degree in Public Relations for the next four years. “As I’m studying in the US, it’s difficult for me to study there and then do all of my racing and training in Europe. “The back and forth would be far too expensive for me… it’s almost impossible for me to achieve,” she told Bernama recently. Aruwin, who previously trained extensively in Innsbruck, Austria, said the move also prompted her to part ways with Belgian coach Kai Alaerts and appoint American coach Brandy Barna as her new mentor. Aruwin described Barna as an outstanding coach, having seen many athletes improve

because they don’t get enough snowfall throughout the season, while in the US, there is usually enough snowfall to cover, so it’s nor mally a very different feeling,” she said. Aruwin, who is currently taking a short break in Malaysia while recovering from an injury to her right knee, is scheduled to return to Austria later this month for an indoor skiing training camp. She will then head to New Zealand in August for her first competition under her new coach. She is expected to compete in both the sla lom and giant slalom events. Meanwhile, Aruwin acknowledged the financial demands of competing in winter sports, describing it as one of the biggest chal lenges in sustaining her career at the interna tional level. Despite that, she hopes greater support from corporate sponsors and Malaysians alike will continue to help fuel her journey and aspi rations in the sport. – Bernama

under her guidance, while several of her close friends had also spoken highly of her coaching style. The two-time Winter Olympian said she was particularly drawn to Barna’s coaching approach, as the latter is someone open in communication while still able to push her athletes to perform at a higher level. In the meantime, she admitted the transi tion would not be easy as she would now need to balance studies and training across several locations in the US. “I’m also staying in Colorado, it will be a bit of a mixture, because my coach is from California, I’m staying in Colorado, and then my school is in Boston, Massachusetts. So I’ll be bouncing back between those three,” she said. Asked about the difference between skiing conditions in Europe and the United States, she said that the snow surface varies greatly between the two regions. “The snow in Europe is normally artificial

Harimau Malaya can thrive without friendlies, says Safee

the country’s football governing body and to bring positive changes to the development of the sport. “I think we need fresh faces to restore confidence in the leadership of our organisation. “Perhaps several new faces within the organisation can contribute and reshape our football planning. “What is important is that we con tinue moving forward and make improvements for the national team,” he said. – Bernama

Laos, while Group A comprises Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and the winner of the play-off between Brunei and Timor-Leste. Meanwhile, commenting on the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) scheduled for June 4, Safee said Malaysian football requires renewal, including the involvement of more new faces in its administrative structure. He said such a move is important to restore confidence in the leadership of

performance ahead of the new season. According to him, professional play ers already understand the importance of taking care of themselves, while also making use of the break following the end of the league season to prepare for upcoming challenges. The national squad, currently ranked 138th in the world, will compete in the Asean Cup from July to August. Malaysia have been drawn in Group B alongside seven-time champions Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar and

“Friendly matches are certainly good for preparation. But even without friendly matches, I think training alone is sufficient for tactical understanding and developing cohesion. “Even if there are no friendly matches, the fact that they are united in one camp is a positive thing for the national team,” he told reporters at the Mamee Hana Safee Sali Superkids Cup on Sunday. Safee also reminded national play ers to maintain their fitness levels and