Budding cyclist Dinesh Kumar is going to open a new chapter in sports in Odisha by representing India at the cycling event in the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games.
The 17-year-old from Rourkela is the first cyclist from Odisha to join the international club. He is all set to make the State and the country proud by participating at a 10-km Cycling Time Trial event scheduled in New Providence in Bahamas.
He is scheduled to participate in the 65-km cycling event on Thursday. He is the only Odia placed in the Indian team.
His coach Narasingha Sahoo said, “Dinesh is going to be a star. He hails from a poor family. There is no velodrum for cycling in Rourkela, but Dinesh’s own efforts have taken him to Bahamas. Currently, 20 more cyclists are being prepared for the upcoming national event in October,” he said.
After Dinesh joined the SAI Academy in New Delhi, his interest in cycling brought recognition for him, Sahoo added.
Minati Mohapatra, the Arjuna awardee as the only cyclist from Odisha, also expressed her happiness over Dinesh’s participation in the international cycling event. “It is a proud moment for us to get a place in Indian team,” she said.
Notably, AR Basudevan, a cyclist from South India, was part of the Indian team after playing for Odisha. later, Minati and Sushil Kumar Das from Odisha had represented India in international cycling events.
However, Dinesh has started a new trend to participate in a Commonwealth youth games in foreign soil.
Staying at house of his maternal grandfather, who is a fruit seller, at Basanti Colony in Rourkela, Dinesh involved himself in cycling, one of the most expensive games. He had clinched successes by participating in the 67th National Junior Cycling Competition in Kerala in 2014 and the 68th cycling event in ludhiana. later, he joined the SAI Academy, where he had an opportunity to practise at velodrum with cycling equipments.
Dinesh was selected in the Indian team after his performance in the Asian Cycling Competition held in New Delhi in February this year.
Around 1300 young athletes from 70 nations and territories are participating in 102 events in Aquatics (Swimming), Beach Soccer, Boxing, Cycling (Road), Judo, Rugby Sevens, Tennis and Beach Volleyball at VIth Commonwealth Youth Games between July 18 and 23 in Bahamas.