Shabroz Malik
Srinagar: A Kashmiri cyclist, Bilal Ahmad Dar created history on Monday by winning gold and bronze medals in National Cycling Championship held in Karnataka.
Dar, from Kawoosa viillage in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, won gold in the 20-kilometre Mass Start event and bronze in 10-kilometre Time Trial event.
Before him, no cyclist from the state has won medals at the national level.
Dar said it was his dream.
“I am working very hard in the academy to improve my performance and timing. I am happy that I won two medals and that too with best timing,” he said.
He said he would now focus on National Track cycling championship to qualify for the international events.
He, however, said that he wasn’t helped by the state government or the State Sports Council, even when the Cycling Federation of India formally requested the latter to provide Dar a pair of competition cycle wheels.
“Till date, the council hasn’t replied to the request,” he said.
First Arjun award winner in cycling and the Chief Coach National Cycling Academy, New Delhi, Amar Singh said that Dar proved himself as one among the best in India.
“He clocked best timing in both the events,” Singh said.
Singh hoped that Dar would also perform well in the National Track cycling Championship, which is scheduled to be held in the first month of 2018 in New Delhi.
Dar was selected by National Cycling Academy, New Delhi, in May last year, during selection trails for budding cyclists in India.
The trials were conducted at Bakshi Stadium here, in which hundreds of cyclists tried their luck, but only Dar could qualify for the National Camp.
Dar has lost his father in a road accident, and has struggled to reach his position.
His mother is hopeful of his success.
“I pray to Allah all the time for the success of my son. I am very happy to hear about his performance in Delhi, and I am very happy,” she said.
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