National Sports Institute (NSI) chief executive officer Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli said the task force, which comprises specialists from NSI and the National Heart Institute (IJN), would be keeping a close watch on the progress of Azizulhasni throughout his rehabilitation process.
The team will draw up an evidence-based structured rehabilitation programme using key data.
“With the support of sport medicine and sport science from NSI, we will be in regular communication with Azizul and keep track of important elements in this recovery programme.
“This includes his health, aspects of diet during recovery, support from family and friends, changes in training post-surgery and programme coordination among heart specialists, NSI experts and his coach, John Beasley,” he said at a virtual press conference.
Faedzal also said Azizulhasni would need all the support and prayers he can get as well as space to fully recover from surgery in these first three months.
The Tokyo Olympics 2020 silver medallist underwent open-heart surgery for a rare heart condition known as an anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery (AAORCA) at the Epworth Richmond Hospital in Melbourne.
This condition can bring on a heart attack or sudden death if not treated immediately.
Meanwhile, IJN sports director and senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Jeffrey Jeswant Dillon said the recovery process of “The Pocket Rocketman” had been divided into three phases.
The first phase entailed recuperation from surgery, which is expected to last six weeks, followed by cardiac rehabilitation which may take between six weeks and three months
“The final phase involves his rehabilitation as an athlete.
“All these will be undertaken on an evidence-based approach by the team here, namely NSI, National Sports Council (NSC), Olympic Council of Malaysia, the youth and sports ministry, and a team in Melbourne.
“We have done the ground work in Melbourne and have contacted doctors there, where Azizul has very good medical support.
“Apart from this, we have also identified a sports cardiologist in Melbourne to help in his recovery as an athlete,” he said.
Azizulhasni is expected to continue his recovery in Melbourne together with his family until the end of this year.
Meanwhile, plans to move the national track cycling squad’s training centre to the National Velodrome in Nilai are expected to be implemented after the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 in September.