India Pedals Backward in Cycling

By Jomy T. J

New Delhi: It was a day when Indians could not make any mark in the cycling event. Even when Chandrashekhar was seemingly close to clinch a third position or so, misfortune struck him as his cycle chain got dislocated and he was stuck on the track and relegated to the last position. Chandrashekhar’s was perhaps the only incident of this nature that occurred during the cycling events of the day.

Sr. Salomi, Superior of DST in Mayur Vihar convent in Delhi, who was closely watching the events on Wednesday at the Indira Gandhi Indoor stadium, was desolate to see all the Indians taking part in the events coming last. But then Chandrashekar’s incident gave her answer to her doubts. “How can India compete with top cyclists in the world when they have not been provided with proper facilities”, she said to herself.

Mahita was the only one Indian cyclist who could complete the 100th lap in women’s 25 km Points Race, whereas the rest two Indians could not even complete the half. Watching the poor show put up by the Indians, Sr. Salomi concluded: The training, food, salary and many other facilities provided to Indians were far behind compared to what is given to the athletes of other nations.

In one instance, the event had to be restarted because of the foul start by an Indian cyclist. When a Games volunteer asked about the cycling event, Sr. Salomi whispered: “India has not yet started in cycling; it has a long way to go.”

In a country which has reportedly spent over Rs. 70,000 crores for conducting the Games, what prevents the organizers from providing proper items and equipments needed for the sports. Games can become meaningful only when sportsmen benefit from it. The Common Wealth Games will turn out to be a big white elephant if the money spent on it does not help to improve sports facilities in the country.