Korea to host rising Indian cyclists Deborah and Manorama

Indian Cyclists Deborah ( R) and T. Manorama (L) with their bronze medal that they won in the Team Sprint Women Junior finals during the Asian Cyclist Championship in New Delh in March this year (Getty Images)

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS): The Korea Cycling Federation (KCF) will play host to rising Indian track riders Deborah and Manorama Devi for a 50-day training-cum-competition camp in Incheon.

Korean and Asian Cycling chief Hee Wook Cho had spotted the talent in Andaman and Nicobar’s Deborah and Manipur-born Manorama during the Asian Junior Championships here in March. Deborah had won three medals while her compatriot bagged a silver.

The duo leave for Korea on September 3 with Services coach Manas Barik, who will also be taught by International Cycling Federation (UCI) level 3 coach Chester Hill.

Onkar Singh, secretary general at the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), told IANS that all the expenses of the trip will be borne by KCF and the cyclists will get the much needed exposure.

“Deborah is 18 while Manorama is 16. They hardly have any foreign exposure and it was evident during the World Championships held earlier in the month in Scotland. They got really nervous. That is why the Korea experience will give them a lot of confidence. They will also be competing in local tournaments,” said Onkar adding that the two will fly from Korea to Thailand for the Oct 4-6 Track Asia Cup in Bangkok.

Coach Barik told IANS that the training will help the girls identify their requirements in sprint events.

“There is dearth of quality coaching in India. That is where this trip will come handy. The focus will be on their training and identify in which event they are doing the best. It would also be a great learning curve for me as I can learn some tricks of the trade from Hill and share same of my experiences with my colleagues back home,” said Barik.

Deborah became the first Indian to qualify for the quarterfinals in the World Juniors in Scotland, where she finished 11th fastest in the time trial event.