Nilai, 9 December 2022 – Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) and the Foundation for Malaysian Sporting Excellence (SportExcel) today announced the launch of the YSD Track Series (YSDTS) programme at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negri Sembilan.

The YSDTS is a collaboration between YSD and SportExcel, and was launched by YB Hannah Yeoh, Minister of Youth and Sports and Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, Chairman of YSD as well as Founder and Chairman of SportExcel. The event was also attended by Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin, Chief Executive Officer of YSD; Mr Sivanandan Chinnadurai, the Executive Director of SportExcel; and Mr. John Beasley, the High-Performance Director of Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) and Technical Advisor of the YSDTS. The series is also supported by MSN and the Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF).

YSD is committing RM2.7 million for the YSDTS for 3 years, towards the establishment of the first of its kind programme to develop the interest in track cycling among local young cyclists and pave the way for the formation of local professional track cycling teams, as an avenue for national talent scouting. Vindicated with the success of the Sime Darby Foundation Track Cycling Team (SDFTCT), YSD is now putting its renewed focus into YSDTS to nurture future young talent and bring about the passion of track cycling to a larger population.

The track series will be supported by Mr. John Beasley, who is the Technical Advisor of the new-founded programme and Mr. Mohd Izham Mohamad of the National Sports Institute (ISN), both of whom are the subject matter experts in track cycling and have been long term partners of YSD. The programme is also supported by MSN and the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) for the provision of the venue, manpower, and technical expertise to ensure the success of YSDTS.

YSDTS Technical Advisor, John Beasley said “We are thrilled to once again collaborate with YSD, and this time to develop a reimagined track cycling race that would attract the interest of those new to the sport. We look forward to launching the first season of YSD Track Series in 2023 and seeing the inaugural edition of the race take place at this very iconic world-class track cycling facility (referring to the National Velodrome in Nilai).”

In his officiating address, YSD Chairman Tunku Tan Sri Imran said, “The YSD Track Series is crucial to create and provide a proper and safe avenue that fulfils the needs of local elite and junior track cycling talents towards their development with accessible racing exposure. I hope that the track series will also encourage the formation of local racing clubs to create a new pathway for junior cyclists, and for a new channel to discover fresh new talents for the national elite team. With the success of the YSD Track Series, we shall develop a league of new champions who will bring greater glory to the country.”

In line with YSD’s commitment towards grassroots sports development programme, YSDTS is designed to cater for licensed local and international athletes in the Elite and Junior categories (U-19, U-17, and U-15) for both men and women, to develop a track racing culture in the country through the planned 52 races over the next three years. At least 120 cyclists are anticipated to participate in each of the race events offered throughout the series, with the top three winners receiving cash prizes.

As the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby Berhad, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad, YSD supports sport development programmes from the grassroots. In addition, YSD supports world-class athletes, as well as an increased focus on women and girls’ development in sports in the country. Earlier this year, YSD began supporting SportExcel for the 3-year Malaysian Premier Elite Junior Circuit Grand Finals and International Exposure for Female Athletes programme with an RM1.5 million sponsorship benefitting Malaysian female junior athletes in tennis, squash, BMX and swimming.