How different is cycling as a sports from normal cycling?

The cycles that we normally use are very heavy where as racing cycles are light, some are as light as three and a half kilos.

The cycles are also priced differently. A sports cycle comes in the range of Rs 80,000 to Rs 3 lakh which is expensive when compared to the normal cycles. Moreover, unlike normal cycles sport pieces require proper tracks for practise.

Is cycling a popular sport in India?

Yes, quite. The Cycling Federation of India is doing a good job to boost the sports. In places like Hyderabad a lot is being done to promote the game. Moreover these days police and railway departments are also recruiting good cyclers in their departments. Over the years Indian players have got good ranking at the Asian level.

What is the situation of the game in Jharkhand and especially in Jamshedpur?

It is sad that once along with the help of Tata Steel, Jamshedpur was home to some of the best cyclists in the country. In fact in the 1982 Asian Games out of the 14-member team eight were from here. But now it seems that the sport is dying a slow death.

Are the conditions here in Jamshedpur conducive to pursuing this sport?

One cannot say that the city is cycling-friendly. There is no velodrome or cycling tracks here. People have to depend on the city road which is not a feasible option considering the bottle-necks and the crowd. Previously, the road along Jubilee Park was used for practise but after the zoo came up matters have slowed down tremendously. But the situation is improving, even the government is taking initiatives to promote the game. What cyclists need today is not strong sponsership alone, but better job oppurtunities.

Nilanjana Ghosh Choudhury