Cycling is his only vocation
Faizal P.J.
COIMBATORE: Pedalling was his passion. But he had wait till he turned 10 to buy his own, low-cost bicycle. But today, Faizal P.J. is a national-level cyclist and the first winner of the ‘Scott future stars programme’ sponsorship.
He was the third winner of the Coimbatore Criterium which was held in February. The 18-year-old cyclist’s talent was spotted by Scott Sports, a Swiss based company which launched a nation-wide biking talent hunt with the title ‘Scott future stars programme’ The scholarships are provided to the cyclists with a full package, including a Scott bike and a kit of all biking gears.
Faizal cycles more than 100 kms a day. Due to his family’s financial condition, he has quit studies. And cycling is his only crutch of hope now. “Cycling is the only remaining education left in my life and I want to excel in it,” smiles Faizal, a native of neighbouring Kerala.
He has also achieved the 4th position in the national road championship of 2014 and has five years of cycling experience and is a sprint finish specialist. His individual trial time for 40 kms is 1hr 3 mins. As part of the sponsorship Faizal has received a high-end road bike and the biking gear from Scott Sports India. He will be blazing the tarmac in major cycling events all over the nation under the wing of Scott Sports India for the next two years.
Two years ago, when he became a member of Cochin bikers club, he didn’t have a hi-end bicycle. Then, a friend cum co-rider gifted him a cycle, says Ajith Varma, floor manager of the bike store Cochin. Faizal now wants to pedal his way to becoming the biking champ of the world.
( Source : dc )
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