| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE : Some cyclists taking part in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are unhappy that upgrading work on facilities are not on track.
They said that the BMX track in Tampines will only be ready in April or May, just a few months before the Games take place in August.
The YOG BMX event will take place along a track in Tampines. Built some 10 years ago, wear and tear has left the track unsuitable for use for the past two years.
But with Singapore hosting the YOG, there are plans to upgrade the facility to meet international standards. The timing for the renovations, however, has left some athletes preparing for the Games unhappy.
Alvin Phoon, BMX cyclist, said: "They could have built the track much earlier, because they keep on delaying the schedule for the track to be built."
However, the YOG organisers said upgrading works are on schedule.
Singapore Amateur Cycling Association added that the overseas contractors could not start work on the Singapore facility in 2009 due to a busy schedule. The association also has alternative plans for the athletes' training.
Ariff Jufri, assistant competition manager (BMX), YOG, Singapore Amateur Cycling Association, said: "Actually, it is not been affected so much because we can rely on our neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand and even Australia. So we have been doing a lot of international training sessions all over the region."
But the athletes do not agree as they want more time training at the new facility.
BMX cyclist Nur Nasthasia Nadiah said: "After the track is built, I think we only have three, four months to get used to jumpings and techniques on the track. I do not think it is enough time for me because during the Switzerland trip, I had difficulty training there."
Upgrading is expected to start in March, and will take some four to eight weeks to complete.
Organisers claim another reason works did not start earlier was because the December-January period is the monsoon season, and rain could impact the renovation works.
On a brighter note, once the facility is completed in May, a validation race could be held and the Singapore athletes will be the first to have a go. - CNA/ms
|
