National from today

NEW DELHI, APRIL 16. The absence of Punjab's leading men is likely to make it easier for Railways and Services while Manipur, Karnataka and Kerala will once again be in the race for honours in the women's section of the 63rd National track cycling championship which gets underway at the Yamuna Velodrome here on Monday.

The five-day event, incorporating the 30th National juniors and 16th National sub-juniors, has attracted 300 cyclists from 24 affliates of Cycling Federation of India.

In the previous edition of the Nationals, held at Patiala in December, Punjab had called the shots in the men's section. However, this time, most of its leading names are busy with their college examinations. As a depleted side, Punjab is not expected to pose much of a threat to institutional teams like Railways and Services.

Premojit Singh, Fullberth (in time trial), Jeeta Ram (in individual pursuit), Kamal Kirado and SAARC bronze-medallist Rajinder Kumar Soni are some of the names serving the Railways. Services will be relying on Zorawar Singh and Paramjit Singh to show the way, especially in pursuit.

In the women's section, SAARC gold medallist Rameshwari Devi of Manipur and silver winner Premalata V. Sureban of Karnataka will be watched with interest.

In the juniors, too, Manipur is the one to watch out for. Traditionally, this north-eastern state has done well in this sport. With holder Punjab not being able to field its best boys, Manipur should gain the most.

According to the CFI secretary-general, Mr. Jaswant Singh Grewal, 32 events - 12 for seniors besides 10 each for juniors and sub- juniors would be held.

On two editions of the Nationals being held in the space of five months, Mr. Grewal said that the 1998-99 edition could not be held as the Nationals Games at Manipur kept getting postponed. ``To make up, we had to hold two editions in quick succession,'' said the 65-year-old who has remained the CFI secretary for the last 22 years.

Ten finals, including the 1000m time trial for men and women, was scheduled for the opening day.

Yamuna Velodrome, one of the grossly under-used facility since 1982, is in the process of being renovated. One of the neglected infra-structures of the Capital, the velodrome is getting a much- needed facelift only due to the return of the Nationals after a seven-year gap. Still, it will take a lot of work before the main stand can be used on the opening day.

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Section  : Sport
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