CHANDIGARH, JAN 13 :Punjab PWD Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa inaugurated 62nd Senior, 39th Junior and 25th Sub-Junior National Track Cycling Championship organized by Chandigarh Amateur Cycling Association at Punjabi University, Patiala today. Professor Jaspal Singh, Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, presided over the inauguration ceremony. About 450 cyclists and officials representing 21 affiliated unites of Cycing Federation of India are taking part in the cycling events, in boys and girl category.
The Velodrome at Punjabi University, which was recently refurbished, has been appreciated by all the cyclists taking part in the Championships. Dhindsa applauded the contribution of University in the Punjabi Academic and extra-curricular activities and also announced a financial assistance of Rs one lakh for the organizers.
Later, the Vice-Chancellor also ensured to the participants that University will provide all its sports facilities for such National Sports activities. Karamvir Singh, Secretary General, Cycling Federation of India, gave a brief account of cycling development programs to be conducted by the CFI keeping in view the forthcoming Commonwealth Games 2010. It was his sincere effort that has attracted a large number of participants for the National Track Cycling Championships.
Shiv Inder Singh Managing Director of Firefox Bikes Ltd presented a gift voucher redeemable for biking accessories and also promised to adopt talented cyclists for advanced training.
Kerala University stole the show on the first day by claiming three gold medals. Punjab captured two gold medal. Kezia Vergheese clocked 42:965 in the 500 metres Time Trial for girls under-17 to give Kerala their first gold. Kerala also secured silver in the event as Parvathy VG clocked 44:034.
In the girls Under-19 500m Time Trial Parvathy VG of Kerala timed 43:414 for gold .
Lidiya Mol M Sunny gave Kerala their third gold as she timed 44:847 in the 500 Time Trial for girls under-15.
Amanvir Singh of Punjab won 500m Time Trial for Boys under-15 by clocking 39:698.Amrit Singh gave Punjab their second gold by clocking 37:034.
Results: 500m Time Trial (girls U-17) (final): 1 Kezia Vergheese (Ker) 42:965; 2 Parvathy VG (Ker) 44:034; T. Sonia Devi (Manipur) 44:389.
500m Time Trial (Boys U/15 final): 1 Amanvir Singh (Punjab) 39: 698, Vishnu U. (Ker) 40: 365; 3 Amanjeet Singh (Del) 40:463. 500m Time Trial (girls U/19) -final): 1 Parvathy VG (Ker) 43:414; 2 Deepachandran (Ker) 44:573; S Rajwinder Kaur (Pun) 45: 339. 500m Time Trial (boys U/17 -final): 1 Amrit Singh (Pun) 37 : 034, 2 Swapnil Mane (Mah) 39: 062, 3 Atul Sonawane (Mah) 39:142. 500m Time Trial (girls U/15 -final): 1 Lidiya Mol M Sunny (Ker) 44: 847, 2 Chinju Jayan (Ker) 45: 295; 3 T Bidyalaxmi Devi (Manipur) 45: 989.
Elimination Race (Men): Sabu Ganagar (RSPB), 2 Sarpreet Singh (Pun), 3 Atul Kumar (SSCB).
I AM OF KERALA ORIGIN AND NOW LIVE IN CANADA. WHILE IT IS GOOD TO KNOW ABOUT TRACK CYCLING, WHY ISN’T ROAD RACING POPULAR AS AN EVENT IN INDIA? I AM 63 YRS OLD AND AN AVID CYCLIST, HAVING JUST COMPLETED A ROUND THE WORLD MILEAGE (40,075 KMS) IN 14 YRS AND 4 MONTHS. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE INDIAN CYCLISTS WIN RACES IN ASIA TO BEGIN WITH (LIKE THE INDONESIANS AND MALAYSIANS) AND THEN LATER IN EUROPE LIKE THE COLOMBIANS.
BEST OS LUCK AND GOOD WISHES
SAM