We want to qualify for Olympics: Cycling Federation Secretary
Applauding the medal winners at the Asian Track Championship, Secretary General of Cycling Federation of India (CFI) Onkar Singh said that their aim is to qualify for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He said that while the sport has improved in the country over the last few years, state and centre government's funding is needed to produce world class cyclists.
India win two medals at the Asian Track Cycling Championship
India won two bronze medals at the ongoing Asian Track Cycling Championship in New Delhi. Aleena Reji and Sushikala Agashe won the first bronze for the country in the women's junior team sprint event. The other bronze came from Reji in the 500m time trail event in women's track cycling. She broke her own national junior 500m time trial record while securing the medal.
Deborah finishes the champions without a medal
In the women's elite events, Deborah Herold missed on a bronze medal in the 500m time trial event. In the elite sprint event, she crashed out of the race in the pre-quarterfinal stage.
Deborah best hope for India in cycling
She is the first Indian cyclist to be ranked in International Cycling Union and is eleventh in the world in the 500m time trial event. She is India's only hope to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. Deborah Herold, a tsunami survivor from Andaman and Nicobar has won many medals in various tournaments around the world and aims to represent India at the Olympics.
Cycling is all I want to do: Deborah
Deborah, who missed a medal at Asian Track cycling championships by 0.143 seconds has not seen her parents for last four years. She says, "If I am not able to be in the camp, my performances will fall. All I want to do is cycle."
Cycling is an expensive sport: Onkar
Onkar Singh said that they do not get any funding from public sector for such an expensive sport. In an interview, he said, "A cycle costs Rs 5 lakh, a wheel will cost you Rs 1 lakh and 20 thousand and even a tyre will cost you Rs 20,000. So, it is very difficult for a common man to take up cycling."
