Olympian Azizulhasni May Be Appointed as Terengganu’s New Tourism Icon

The state of Terengganu is known for its white sandy beaches, turtles, kerepok lekor…and cycling legend Datuk Muhammad Azizulhasni bin Awang. Although he was unfortunately disqualified from the men's keirin at the Paris Olympics as he was judged to have overtaken the derny before it left the track, he is still a Malaysian sporting icon. Plus, he has already made the country proud numerous times, such as when he won silver in Tokyo three years ago and bronze at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

As reported by Harian Metro, the national track cycling champion will be appointed as a tourism icon for Terengganu. The Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism, Culture, Environment, and Climate Change, Datuk Razali Idris, announced that the Terengganu state government plans to discuss with Datuk Azizulhasni Awang his appointment as a tourism icon once he returns to Malaysia after participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The state believes Azizulhasni, also known as "The Pocket Rocketman," could significantly boost international tourist arrivals, particularly in sports tourism. "We are awaiting Azizulhasni's return, who is also a native of Dungun, to discuss the offer," he said.

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Although he currently resides in Melbourne with his four children and wife, he is still a proud Terengganuian. He often expresses pride in his Terengganu roots and has dedicated many achievements to his home state. His consistent recognition of Terengganu in interviews and his involvement in local events and initiatives reflect his deep connection and commitment to his state.

"The appointment of Azizulhasni as the state's tourism icon is expected to help the government attract more tourists, with current arrivals exceeding 5.2 million, surpassing the target of 4.5 million," said Razali.

He added that the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, has agreed in principle to the proposal. "We are awaiting a suitable time to discuss this with Azizulhasni, and we are hopeful that he will accept the appointment," Razali, also the Kijal state assemblyman, explained.

As reported by Malay Mail, the 36-year-old has also spoken out about his potential retirement. He said that he needs time to think about whether to retire or compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He admitted that his coach, John Beasley, and his teammates had expressed hope that he would continue.

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Featured Image Credit: Pulau Perhentian Official | Instagram, Azizulhasni Awang | Instagram