Jamkhandi waits for a velodrome

Hubbali: It may be an innocuous little town to most but to those who enjoy cycling,  Jamkhandi in Bagalkot district is the place to be to make a mark in competitions. 

The town has produced several cyclists of national and international repute, but  has no velodrome track to offer with a national cycling contest round the corner in December.

Cyclists training for the competition have no  choice but to depend on the national highway, dodging  heavy traffic to hone their skills. In the process, at least two students have lost their lives and several have been injured on the highways.

The cycling tradition in Bagalkot  dates back to British times when royal families  organised  cycling competitions during annual fairs.

No one comes to the aid of  cyclists, many of whom are from poor families and cannot afford  to buy even  cheaper bicycles. 

“The state government had identified 10 acres for construction of the velodrome track in Bhutanal village on the outskirts of Bijapur in 2005, but the project did not take off,” says cyclist coach, M P Maranur.