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First J&K cyclist to don India colours, Bilal dreams of Olympics

NEW DELHI: With international medals boosting his confidence, Jammu and Kashmir cyclist Bilal Ahmad Dar dreams of representing the country in the Olympics one day.

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New Delhi, May 21

With international medals boosting his confidence, Jammu and Kashmir cyclist Bilal Ahmad Dar dreams of representing the country in the Olympics one day.

Hailing from Kawoosa village in Budgam district, Bilal, 18, is the first cyclist from Jammu and Kashmir to represent the country. His family cultivates fruits and vegetables and he was spotted during a talent hunt in Srinagar.

Bilal won two medals -- a silver in the 3-km individual pursuit and a bronze in the 4-km team pursuit -- at the Asian Junior Championships held in Jakarta earlier this year.

“I was selected through the trials in Jammu and Kashmir. I was the first among all athletes,” Bilal said.

Cycling is not very popular in the Valley but his father and fellow villagers inspired Bilal to take up the sport.

“My father used to ride a cycle and then there were a lot of people in my village cycling around. That is how I got the inspiration to ride,” he said.

Bilal was on Tuesday felicitated by the Cycling Federation of India along with the other Indian medallist of the Asian Junior Cycling Championship.

In 2017, Bilal became the first cyclist in India to win four gold medals at the National School Games, earning him praise from former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and cricketer VVS Laxman on the social media.

The teenager has been training in Delhi for the past four years where he has access to world-class equipment and training. He has represented the country in several tournaments at the junior level.

“I have participated in the Asian Cup and then Asian Championship. My aim now is to represent India in the Olympics,” he said.

Seeing the terrific performance by the junior cyclists in the recent events, the Sports Authority of India has agreed to include them in their development programme for the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.

“The Sports Authority of India has principally agreed to include four junior cyclists in the development scheme of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. There is a meeting on May 29. We have kept our fingers crossed,” said Onkar Singh, Cycling Federation of India secretary general.

“These kids have proved themselves, they have the potential. We just want the best for them,” he said. – PTI

Won 2 medals in Jakarta

  • Hailing from Kawoosa village in Budgam district, Bilal Ahmad Dar, 18, is the first cyclist from Jammu and Kashmir to represent the country
  • Bilal won two medals — a silver in the 3-km individual pursuit and a bronze in the 4-km team pursuit — at the Asian Junior Championships held in Jakarta earlier this year
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