SEA Games cyclist says sorry for assaulting teammate

In a public apology issued yesterday, Mr Vincent Ang (above), a bronze medallist at the SEA Games, admitted punching and slapping fellow national cyclist Ang Kee Meng while on a training ride and later at a food centre.
In a public apology issued yesterday, Mr Vincent Ang (above), a bronze medallist at the SEA Games, admitted punching and slapping fellow national cyclist Ang Kee Meng while on a training ride and later at a food centre. TNP FILE PHOTO
Mr Ang Kee Meng (left) filed a police report following the incident. He is in Melbourne now and said he will leave the matter in the hands of the authorities.
Mr Ang Kee Meng (above) filed a police report following the incident. He is in Melbourne now and said he will leave the matter in the hands of the authorities. ST FILE PHOTO

National cyclist Vincent Ang, 38, issued a public apology yesterday for assaulting his teammate. In a statement, he said: "I would like to apologise to my teammates and the Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) for my actions on Sunday."

The SEA Games bronze medallist admitted slapping and punching fellow national rider Ang Kee Meng while on a training ride along Lim Chu Kang Road, and later at Adam Road Food Centre while the cyclists were taking a break.

Mr Ang Kee Meng has made a police report, and the SCF is investigating. In response to the apology, the 29-year-old, who is training in Melbourne, said he is leaving the matter in the hands of the authorities. "I was assaulted and I trust the police and the law to give a fair verdict," he said.

The two men are unrelated.

Mr Vincent Ang said yesterday he would cooperate fully with the authorities. He said he had agreed to a suggestion by the SCF "to seek help to manage my emotions", adding that he would be "working with them to get the assistance I need".

In February, Mr Vincent Ang had also apologised after photos emerged online of him carrying his two-year-old son in one arm and holding his mobile phone with his other hand while cycling along a road wearing the national colours.

SCF general manager Mahipal Singh told The Straits Times yesterday that the federation had met Mr Vincent Ang and hoped to complete its probe by the weekend.

"(This matter) can go up to our dispute and disciplinary committee, and that will involve independent parties, including staff from Sport Singapore - and they will deliberate on a course of action."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 24, 2015, with the headline SEA Games cyclist Vincent Ang says sorry for assaulting teammate. Subscribe