Cyclist Indra Kumar Singh practises in Jamshedpur. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, Oct. 13: Equipment blues notwithstanding, the state cycling body is doing all it can to bolster Jharkhand’s medal hopes in the 34th National Games.

Four cyclists, who had participated in international meets, have been roped in by Jharkhand Cycling Association (JCA). Indra Kumar Singh, P. Anita, O. Bikram Singh and Rajeshwari have firepower in them to put hosts Jharkhand in a strong pedestal at the Games. Indra and Anita are from railways while Bikram works for BSNL and Rajeshwari lives in Pune.

JCA secretary Satbir Singh said: “There are few problems related to equipment that is affecting the ongoing training camps in the city. But confirmation of these four cyclists has come as a boost in the run up to the Games.”

Indra, a native of Imphal but posted as a senior TTE in Howrah, has already joined the camp. He has bagged two gold and one silver in the 2002 SAF Cycling Meet in Delhi and was a member of the Indian outfit for Asian Track Cycling Championship (Malaysia, 2004) and Asian Meet (Ludhiana, 2005). “I have come here to help Jharkhand and confident of bagging medals,” he said, while sweating out on Kadma-Sonari Link Road.

P. Anita, also from Manipur but employed with the railways in Guwahati, is a classy cyclists while Bikram looks the best bet. He is fresh from top class show in the Senior National Championship, Punjab, in January this year. Bikram grabbed gold in the 1000m individual time trials and 3000m mass start, besides winning silver in the 200m sprint.

“Bikram is currently at the ongoing national camp for Commonwealth Games in Patiala and will join us soon,” said K. Dinesh Singh, Jharkhand coach.

Dinesh, who is also a Manipuri, was instrumental in roping in the top cyclists.

Meanwhile, the NGOC has still not handed over the gears to the JCA.