Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
Versatile Deborah Herold and junior cycling World Cup silver medal winner Esow Alben (both from Andaman and Nicobar), will spearhead 17-member Indian challenge in the 5th Track Asia Cup to be held at Cycling velodrome , I G Sports complex in New Delhi from 21st to 23 September.
Over 150 cyclists from 12 countries-, Australia. Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, UAE ,Thailand and Nepal-, will be seen in action this three-day championship.
“It is a very important meet as it is a part of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualification process” said Cycling Federation of India (CFI) president Parminder Singh Dhindsa on Tuesday.
Talking to media persons, Dhindsa said top riders of the continent and Australia will be seen in this high voltage competition in which competitors will earn points for other qualifying meets for the Olympics” .
He exuded confidence that Indian riders will do well in this championship as they are well aware of the advantages they will gain by giving good performances.
“The important factor is that this event is not only part of the World Cup, World Championship, but also for the Olympic qualifier. The main challenger in this event are Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand.”
“ The process of Olympic qualification started in July this year and will continue till 20th February 2020 thus making it as very competitive meet” he added.
\ 17 Year old Esow Alben , who created history on August 16, by winning India’s first junior cycling World Cup silver medal in the men’s kerin event in Aigle, Switzerland, was confident of living up to expectations.
Esow who lost the gold by 0.017 seconds by Czech Republic’s Jakub Stastny, in the World Cup, was of the view that winning a medal in the World Cup was like dream coming true “I hope to improve upon that at home before my fans”
The teenager has had a terrific run in the Asian Championships and victories in the 2018 Cottbuser Sprint Cup 2, GP Brno Track Cycling competitions and also earned the No.1 ranking in the Junior Sprint category which made him the first Indian to reach the top spot.
“Well it is going to be tough but that is how International meets are but I am sure we will perform well” said Esow at present ranked number 1 in the Kierin event in the ICI world ranking.
The youngster had put the track on fire at the Asian track cycling championship in Malaysia in February this year by winning three gold medals. His team mates Jemsh Singh and Mayur Pawarin also had a top podium finish in the team sprint.
In the women section, Indians will face tough competition from Hong Kong,Singapore and Thailand.
Deborah and Sonali Chanu who are currently ranked 9th in the Team Sprint event are well aware of the tough competition ahead of them.
“It is going to be tough and we are prepared for that “ Deborah said, who performed below par at Jakarta Asian Games.”I was not well, so i could not give my best in Jakarta. Now I have recovered, I am training very hard”I along with other team mates are focused and I am confident of doing well”
CFI secretry general Onkar Singh said that his federation will enter its second team consisting riders mostly from SAI’National Cycling Academy (SAINCA) to provide much needed exposure to the youngsters.
“This event is a build up competition for our cyclists and they get a chance to show their talent and get noticed” he added.