It is going from bad to worse for Fatehah Mustapa, who would be dropped from the Podium Programme after failing to excel at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

The news came right after the Malaysian cyclist was not listed for the 2018 Asian Games, taking place in Indonesia from August 18 to September 2.

Dr Khairi Zawi, Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Institute of Malaysia, said the decision was made after the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) did not include her for the Asian Games cycling team.

"I feel that any Podium athletes failing to qualify to compete at the Commonwealth Games or the Asian Games should understand their positions under the Podium Programme," he told Astro Arena on Friday.

At the same time, Khairi revealed that high jumper Nauraj Singh, triple jumper Hakimi Ismail and discus thrower Irfan Shamsuddin are in danger of being dropped if they do not perform at the upcoming Asian Games.

"For track and field athletes who did not win any medal during the Commonwealth Games, their performances in Jakarta will be their second chance. They must bring home medals," he added.

The Podium Programme is a dedicated national elite athlete preparation programme aimed at producing podium finishes for Malaysian athletes.

Launched in February 2016 by the then-Youth and Sport Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, one of its objectives is to win the country's first gold medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.