Cyclist Vincent Ang suspended for three months

SINGAPORE — National cyclist Vincent Ang has been handed a three-month suspension for his assault on teammate Ang Kee Meng.

The 38-year-old will also serve 30 hours of community service with young cycling enthusiasts, and is expected to undergo counselling with the Singapore Sports Institute.

In a statement issued by the Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) yesterday, the national sports association said the SCF’s Dispute and Disciplinary Committee had met on Aug 4 and concluded that “a case of misconduct” had occurred on July 19.

Vincent had admitted to hitting Kee Meng on July 19 along Lim Chu Kang Road and the Adam Road Food Centre after an argument during their training ride. Kee Meng suffered bruises to the head from the altercation, and subsequently lodged a police report.

SCF president Suhaimi Haji Said, general manager Mahipal Singh, and a Sport Singapore representative met Vincent on July 23 to seek clarification on the incident, and the findings were sent to SCF’s dispute and disciplinary committee.

The four-man committee established that there were “mitigating factors” that led to Vincent’s actions, but the SCF said that it expected better behaviour from its athletes.

“The committee noted that following the incident, Vincent had made a public apology for his actions (on July 24). At the same time, Vincent had, during the course of the meeting, submitted a mitigation plea,” said the statement. “In his mitigation plea, Vincent was ‘very sorry for using force on Kee Meng ... I am prepared to apologise to Kee Meng in person’. Notwithstanding this, the SCF expects a higher level of decorum from national athletes.

“Second, that Vincent’s actions cannot be condoned and third, to prevent a similar incident in the future, a deterrent form of punishment must be meted out.”

While the committee said it “could not draw on similar past incidences” when deciding the course of punishment for Vincent, it took reference from SCF’s Athlete Agreement and Code of Conduct.

Singh added yesterday that it was “a little bit sad” that the relationship between Vincent and Kee Meng — former friends and training partners — has soured.

“Along the way, things happened, and it was a build-up of events that led to that fateful day,” he told TODAY. “But while tempers may flare, there must be mutual respect and self-restraint.

“As a national athlete, one is expected to abide by strict codes of conduct, and behave accordingly. The first step for Vincent is to sign up for a recommended counselling programme with the Singapore Sports Institute, which we will facilitate.

“Nevertheless, this disciplinary case will be documented, even with the SNOC (Singapore National Olympic Council) — which selects its athletes for national representation in international competitions not only based on performance, but also on conduct. All national athletes need to keep this firmly in mind, too.”