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*** YOG - BMX Cyclists Unhappy ***

Singapore (CNA-News) -- 01/21/2010
Some BMX cyclists unhappy upgrading of Tampines facilities not on track.



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.

CC - Patwant Singh, CNA

* YOG - Tampines Bike Park

ACC - www.genesbmx.com/2010-youth-olympic-games.html
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