Ask anyone interested in sports: What is the biggest bugbear of Indian sports when it comes to making a mark in the world? Among the several responses you’d get, one that is uniform would be — the lack of opportunities available to our guys to compete with the best in the world. Then would follow other common refrains such as lack of facilities, lack of equipment, lack of coaches and so on.
While the last three mentioned can be bought, it is not so when it comes to the first. Why? Because you need to be of a particular standard before you can participate in events where you rub shoulders with the best.
So, what would you do if an opportunity came your way to let your best train/compete with some of the best in the world? You would grab the opportunity with both hands. Right? Most perhaps would, but not if you are the Cycling Federation of India (CFI).
CFI, a body that is funded by the government using our tax-payers money, has never done anything worthwhile for the promotion of cycling in the country other than organize events that cause embarrassment, but their pettiness knew no bound at the just concluded MTB Himalaya, rated currently as the 3rd toughest mountain biking race in the world.
Known more for their lack of any understanding of the sport and for organizing MTB races in the country on flats, the federation forced a group of 17 army riders to withdraw from the event or face disqualification. So, a day before the event kicked off, army, which boasts of some of the best in India, pulled out of the event.
This is the letter that the federation sent to various state/units that most cyclists are connected with. Connecting with them is critical for the cyclists, as that is the only way they can be considered for nationals and being selected for India, a dream for most.
Dear Sir/ Madam,
As per the decision of the Executive Committee of the CFI held on 14.09.2015 under the chairmanship of Sh. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, President, CFI, it was resolved that the Federation do not endorse the MTB Himalaya 2015 event being conducted on 27th of Sep. 2015 at Shimla by HASTPA and hence all the states/ units are directed not to participate in this event. Direction has to be strictly followed and cyclists from your state/ units may be directed accordingly. Non compliance of this direction will be dealt strictly as per the rules of the Cycling Federation of India and are liable to be suspended from taking part in the activities of Federation. These instructions are to be followed with strict discipline.
Kind regards,
VN Singh,
Asst. Secretary,
Cycling Federation of India
Why did the CFI act so petty? Because the organizers of MTB Himalaya have steadfastly refused to play ball and give in to their unreasonable demands that only revolve around money to be paid and tickets and stay for their guys. There is virtually no word ever on how to organize the event or any technical input that can make the event even better. But that is hardly surprising, for they have ZERO expertise other than politicking and running the federation like their fiefdom with egos that are the size of a football field.
Just to let you know about the quality of participation in this year’s event that concluded Sunday last. Luis Pinto from Portugal won the men’s edition and Catherine Williamson from England won the women’s category. For the record, Luis has a world ranking of No. 9 and Catherine is not only ranked among the top, but is the current winner of Cape Epic and Mongolia challenge, both BIG events on the world MTB cycling calendar. In fact, out of the 70 plus total participants, there were over 40 international riders that also included the German Andi Seewald and Spanish Pau Zamora. Andi is in the top 15 rankings in the world as well. Among the women too there were world ranked riders other than Catherine, including Ilda Pereira from Portugal.
Can you imagine the Indian army team riders, some of who I have seen and strong riders, being denied the opportunity to ride against these riders? Think how much there is to learn from seeing them, riding with them, observing how they maintain their bikes, what they eat before, during and after the ride, how they relax, their exercise regimen. How in the world would these army riders get to spend a full week in the company of such riders? But no, caving in to the diktat of CFI, the army sports wing pulled them out. What a pity!
And the CFI’s pettiness did not end there. It suddenly decided that the state federations would hold their state level MTB trials on October 3 and 4, ensuring that it clashes with the MTB Himalaya that went on till October 4. It was aimed at the youngsters participating in the event.
To the credit of youngsters, though, several of them ignored the threats, reasoning that it made more sense for them to ride in a tough event and learn from the world’s best rather than participate in CFI events that are held more to fulfill a calendar requirement with zero expertise, including once on flat-as-an-airstrip section of a newly built road in new Gurgaon.
It is a given that these youngsters would not be considered for anything in the nationals. Some of them are reconciled to it, but are grateful they could ride with the best. Sure, but why should it be taken as a given? What right does the CFI have to run the sport on their whims? If good of the sport is not its agenda, what right does it have to run it, on our money?
One hopes the powers that be in the government see the harm that this body is doing to the sport of cycling, whose popularity in India is growing by leaps and bounds. How one hopes the CFI lent its weight to the event, helping the event get the UCI affiliation, so that the world cycling body recognizes the event. Imagine, instead of World No. 9 and 15, you can have world No. 1 to 20, all participating in the same event, in India. Where else in the world do we have the Himalayas? As Pinto told me at the end of the event, as did several others: What a tough event, and what a great place to host the MTB race. You guys are so lucky to have the Himalayas.
Right, but can someone tell the CFI that, please. Incidentally, how the federation is can be gauged from a post in did in March 2011 – Velodrome or toilet?
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author's own.
Top Comment
{{A_D_N}}
{{C_D}}
{{{short}}} {{#more}} {{{long}}}... Read More {{/more}}
{{/totalcount}} {{^totalcount}}Start a Conversation