Ju Pha to train locally for Commonwealth Youth Games

The Star
July 4th 2011


KUALA LUMPUR: Despite not being selected to train with the senior cycling squad under national coach John Beasley in Melbourne, Australia, national cyclist Ju Pha Somnet remains psyched to train locally.

Ju Pha, 18, said she will continue training like normal and is excited to be preparing for the fourth Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in the Isle of Man this September.

"What's important is that I train diligently to do Malaysia proud at an international level," she said yesterday.

The Chuping-born athlete, who was named Best Overall Female Athlete at the 14th Sukma Games after winning four gold medals through the 3km individual pursuit, 10km scratch and sprint, and 500m time trial as well as silver in the keirin event, said she hopes to represent the country at the SEA Games in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, National Sports Council (NSC) Back Up Athletes Division director Jefri Ngadirin said they will send Ju Pha to train abroad if necessary.

"Should Ju Pha take part in an international level competition the NSC will send her to train in Europe. However, there is no need for us to do so yet.

"Beasley thinks Ju Pha fares better in the scratch and sprint and time trial events," he added.

Previously, the NSC sent three track cycling gold medallists from the 14th Sukma Games to prepare with the senior squad under Beasley in Australia.

Muhd Arfi Qhairant Amran (Malacca), Mohd Fattah Amri Zaid (Kedah) and Ahmad Fakhrullah Alias (Pahang) were members of the national back-up squad upgraded to join the elite squad based in Melbourne. — Bernama