The country's Youth and Sports Ministry has submitted the proposal, although Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said cost and location had not been determined yet.

 

It is hoped that construction of the indoor velodrome will begin in 2011 and be completed a year later.

 

Ahmad Shabery said: "If it can be ready by the London Olympics of 2012, it will be source of pride for us and serve as an inspiration to Malaysian cyclists to strive for the country's first Olympic gold at the London Games."

 

Cycling is one of the sports that has been identified as one of the sports that could deliver Malaysia the first Olympic gold medal in the country's history.

 

The South East Asian country, which gained independence from Britain in 1957, finished 74th in the medals table in Beijing with the silver medal badmionton player Lee Chong Wei won in the men's singles, the fourth Olympic medal won by a Malaysian player since the sport was introduced in 1992.

But the country of 27.4 million is still desperately waiting for its first gold medal.

 

Although having world-class cyclists, Malaysia now only have two open-air velodromes, in Cheras here and Ipoh, Perak, and the country's top riders have even considered relocating to Britain in the build-up to London to prepare properly.

 

Ahmad Shabery made his announcement after presenting cash rewards on behalf of the Government to national cyclists for winning two gold, two silver and two bronze at the 29th Asian Cycling Championship held in Kalimantan, Indonesia last week.

 

Mohd Azizulhasni Awang received a total of RM13,333 (£2,300) for winning two gold medals at the meeting, in the individual 200 metres sprint and team sprint.