Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh)[India], February 11 (ANI): It has not been an easy ride for Adil Altaf, a rare cyclist from JammuKashmir who won a bronze medal in the Individual Road race (100 KM) event at the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games 2022 Madhya Pradesh in Jabalpur. The teenage cyclist from the valley state wants to use this platform once again in pursuit of excellence in such a demanding sport at the international level.
The 19-year-old, son of a tailor who created waves in last year’s KIYG at Panchkula, Haryana by striking gold in the 70 km road race and a silver in the 28 km time trial, was in Delhi to participate in the track cycling segment of his event – the individual pursuit and then travelled to Jabalpur of Madhya Pradesh to complete in the road cycling leg.
Altaf, now 19 and a Khelo India athlete since 2019, after he finished in the top five of his event there, trains in Sports Authority of India’s Patiala complex for certain months of the year. ”The problem, however, is that of continuing with my programme once I am back in JK. I appeal through you to the government to sanction one good cycling coach there,” he pleaded.
As a kid, Altaf pedalled through the crowded bylanes of the Lalbazar area in Srinagar – running chores for his father’s shop – dropping or picking up materials for him. When barely 15, he took part in his school event in Kashmir Harvard and finished third. […]
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