He was confirmed as a permanent resident three weeks ago.

“I got a phone call, that was one of the happiest days in my life, saying that I have got permanent resident status. I feel accepted and honoured, and I really feel like I am a white Malaysian… I tell everyone I come from Genting Highlands,” he said here.

“But yeah, I am proud, I love Malaysia. My wife (Vicky Beasley) loves it there. I am trying to learn Bahasa Malaysia as well.

“I can follow a conversation by the boys (the members of the cycling team), but it is really hard for me to put it together; I am committed to getting it better,” he said.

Beasley, who is Australian, became Malaysia’s national track cycling coach in January 2006, and was the backbone of keirin star Azizulhasni Awang’s growth from a teenager to world class keirin rider.

Azizulhasni won the 2017 world championship and two Olympic medals, bronze in Rio 2016 and silver in Tokyo 2020. Malaysians hoped he would succeed in securing gold in Paris but he was disqualified yesterday.

The Paris 2024 Olympics is Beasley’s last coaching assignment, as he will take up a new role as the national team’s technical director.

Commenting on his relationship with Azizulhasni, Beasley said he is like a godfather to the 36-year-old rider and they share a beautiful bond since taking Azizulhasni under his wings for 17 years.

Beasley believes it is time for Azizulhasni, known as the Pocket Rocketman, to move to the next phase of his life.

“He has given 17 years of service to the country, it has been a long, distinguished career and I think now, yeah, it’s time to get on with the next chapter of his life.

“For me, I value his management, want to see him heading up the high performance sports in Malaysia in the next few years.

“Probably he will just enjoy riding keirin for the next two years, maybe in Japan,” he said.