THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Triplets again! Following Kerala’s clean sweep in the 10-km Women’s Mass Trial on Tuesday, it was Punjab’s turn to win top three positions at LNCPE Stadium in the Men’s 1-km Individual Time Trial. However, as Amrit Singh, Amarjit Singh and Gurbaj Singh stood together on the podium on Wednesday, one could not help ignore the fact that their jerseys were not similar.
A bit of prodding and the gold medallist Amrit Singh revealed, “We did not wear the jersey we got from the state government, as it did not fit us. Moreover, our cycling shorts did not come with padding. These are crucial to win in competitions.”
This is Amrit’s second National Games. The 24-year-old started cycling at 12 years. A time long enough to witness fellow cyclists from Punjab quit their profession or head for greener pastures. For, in their neighbouring states cyclists are rewarded handsomely, after winning medals. With little support from the state, some find it hard to continue cycling, as their high-end cycles itself cost money.
Amrit, Amarjit and Gurbaj have experienced the Punjab government’s disregard for cyclists, first hand. In National Games 2011, Amrit and Amarjit had won two gold medals for team events. The three have won several medals and participated in international meets. However, their homecoming after the victories goes unnoticed a lot of times.
Being strong contenders in the national-level, their cycles have been sponsored by Cycling Federation of India and Sports Authority of India. The rest of the cyclists from Punjab, the ones who are still making their way to the top, have to fend for themselves, they say.
Amrit broke the national record in 1-km Time Trial, clocking 1 minute and 09.11 seconds, announced the organisers on Wednesday. However, the trio feels that celebrations can wait, till they get back home and see how well they are welcomed, if at all.