MELAKA — The late Datuk Abu Samah Abd Wahab’s final words of advice and encouragement are set to inspire the national road cycling team, particularly Nur Aisyah Mohamad Zubir, the nation’s first female road cyclist to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
Mohd Yusof Nasir, the head coach of the national cycling squad, shared that these impactful words were conveyed during a recent visit to Abu Samah in the hospital, reported Bernama.
Despite concerns about his health, he said Abu Samah vividly recalled the conversation, leaving a profound impact on the team.
“I was worried when meeting him because I was afraid he wouldn’t remember, but Alhamdulillah, he remembered, and the situation at that time was quite sad.
“He gave a lot of advice, and among the ones I remember, Abu Samah wanted Nur Aisyah to do her best because this is a unique opportunity that we don’t know when we’ll have again.
“So, this is an opportunity for Nur Aisyah and Malaysia to shine in the Olympics,” he said when met after the funeral for Abu Samah at the Kampung Semabok Islamic Cemetery here today.
Yusof also said that Abu Samah recommended that the National Road Cycling Championship next year be hosted in Selangor.
He also entrusted Nasir with overseeing the Malaysian road cycling team’s preparations for the Tour de Langkawi in the coming year.
Abu Samah, 82, who succumbed to stage four prostate cancer, died at Mahkota Melaka Hospital at 7 pm yesterday.
His health began to deteriorate two weeks ago before being admitted to the hospital last Sunday due to a loss of appetite.
He was buried at the Kampung Semabok Islamic Cemetery here at 11:30 am today, in the presence of more than 800 comrades, cycling athletes, and villagers who paid their respects during the funeral procession.
He leaves behind his 82-year-old wife, Datin Halimah Ali, seven children, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Abu Samah’s contributions to cycling were marked by his presidency at the Malaysian National Cycling Federation since 1990.
His reputation was further solidified when he received the Asean Cycling Federation Merit Award in May, a historic achievement that earned recognition from the International Cycling Union, the Asian Cycling Confederation, and the Asean Cycling Federation. — November 29, 2023