Ministry addressing issues raised by Beasley, says Taufiq

KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and sports minister Dr Taufiq Johari says the issues raised by national track cycling technical director John Beasley are being comprehensively addressed to ensure that the sport’s development is not affected.

He said the concerns raised by Beasley, including allegations of political interference, bureaucratic hurdles, and constraints in grassroots development, had been identified earlier.

“The National Sports Council (NSC) held a town hall session on June 8 involving all stakeholders, including the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF), state associations, coaches, and Beasley himself, to seek the best solutions.

“The discussion aimed to reach a consensus, particularly on athlete selection matters, including issues related to the release of athletes by state associations to compete in national-level championships,” he said when met at the Honour of Kings Asian Games 2026 Qualifier here today.

It was previously reported that Beasley was expected to leave his post at the end of the year, despite his contract only expiring on Jan 31 next year, following mounting frustration over several internal issues in Malaysian cycling.

Taufiq said the ministry, through the NSC, would hold a meeting with Beasley and the MNCF in the near future to ensure that all parties reach common ground.

He also said Beasley had assured the ministry that he would carry out his duties as usual, at least until the completion of this year’s major events, including the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.

“The athletes’ preparations will not be affected. He remains committed to leading the team for this year’s major competitions,” he said.

Taufiq also said that the ministry is committed to providing an inclusive platform for stakeholder discussions to formulate long-term improvements, including in governance and grassroots development.

“These discussions will continue, and we do not want decisions to be made unilaterally. What is important is that every decision benefits the athletes and the country,” he said.