Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, September 14: The Cyclists of Andaman & Nicobar Islands who have brought laurels for the Islands in many championships are now struggling even to practice in the field as the Sports Department is not even having sufficient and proper Cycles for National level Championship.
As per reports, presently there are only four Cycles with the Sports Department which were bought by the Department in the year 2005. As per experts, these four Cycles are presently not in good shape and are not fit even for practice, forget about Championships.
There are now 3-4 four performing Cyclists in the Islands, who have done extremely well in the recent championships. Cyclist Eshow of Model School has recently broke 2 national records and has won four gold medals. Cyclist Orkopra Baul is also in good form.
Emerson of Boys School is also doing extremely well in the Championships and has also won medals. It is learnt that a team with Deborah also went to Germany few months back and performed extremely well and won medals in the game.
Looking at the crisis of Cycle one of the Cyclists Orkoprabha Baul recently bought a Cycle by selling his father’s Car. But other Cyclists do not have financial backing and hence are now worried.
The Cyclists urged the Andaman Nicobar Sports Department to provide them atleast four Track Cycles and four Road Cycles so that they can take part in the Championships and bring laurels for the Islands.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, the Secretary Sports Department, Mrs Tanvi Garg has assured that the Department will tender for the Cycles soon and the Sports Department will provide Cycles for all Cyclists.
