PANJIM: Blanche Themudo, the recently crowned State cycling champion (Elite Women) should have been training and preparing for the National championship scheduled for November 25, instead the cyclist was forced to leave her training schedule and fight a different battle against the Cycling Association of Goa (CAG) after she was omitted from the State team for the Nationals.
Blanche was impressive in both races — 20 km Time Trial and 80km mass start –she participated in the Elite Women category at the all Goa road cycling championship, organised by CAG.
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She performed far better than the rest and the association rightfully declared her as the champion. She had an impressive time of speed of 37.37 kms per hour and covered a distance of 22 kms in 00.35.25. However, she was dealt with a shocker when her name was omitted from the State team for National event at the last moment.
It is learnt that though the State championship was held on November 6 and 7, and November 15 being the deadline given by the National Federation, the State association declared the team only on November 13 (Saturday).
With paucity of time, the Navelim woman couldn’t do much in a day’s time and was left with no option than to file a petition against the Cycling Association of Goa (CAG) after her ‘illegal omission’ from the State team for the Nationals.
Speaking to Herald, Blanche stated, “It’s shocking to see the association do all this. My entry for the State event was accepted after the payment of Rs1,000 (Rs 500 each in each event) and I performed extremely well thus winning both the events in Elite Women category and rightfully deserve to be in the State team for the Nationals. However, it was disheartening after I learnt of my omission,”
Blanche, a dentist by profession, has been training for years to make it to the Nationals. “I have been preparing to participate at the national level and have been training consistently over last one year putting up over 8500kms in the last 10 months in spite of my busy schedule at work and then the State association just shatters my dreams,” stated Blanche.
“How can they (association) say that age is an issue when there is no upper age limit mentioned even at the National championship nor in the UCI Cycling Regulations? asked Blanche.
“Having won both the races and being eligible for participation as per the rules/guidelines of the CFI, there is no reason why my name should not feature in the list of selected participants to represent the State of Goa at the said Nationals cycling event,” stated Blanche, who is also the part of Equipe Goa Racing Team which comprises cyclists of highest level in the State.
After repeated attempts and failure to get a favourable reason for her omission from the association, the cyclist then filed a petition against CAG.
It is given to understand that the Goa Cycling Association had earlier allowed a 41-year-old veteran to participate in the men’s elite category and age could never be a factor for the selection criteria in this category.
When contacted CAG Secretary NG Akhargekar stated, “Blanche is the champion of the State but isn’t the part of the team because of selection criteria. I was told by the president of the association that the race was two events — a championship and selection trial,” stated NG Akhargekar, who failed to justify any reason for her omission.
When asked whether the State association had received any circular regarding the selection criteria or the upper age limit in the women’s category the Secretary couldn’t justify the claim and said, “There is no circular received regarding the upper age, but I am told that they have got the reply from the federation,” stated the CAG Secretary
What is even more interesting is the fact that the event list of the 26th National Road Cycling Championship organised by the Cycling Federation of India doesn’t specify any upper age limit in the Elite women’s category. It rather says “Elite (Women Elite): This category shall comprise riders aged 19 years and above.”
When contacted the president of the Cycling Association of Goa Dr. Nitish Kerkar stated, “Since the matter is in the court, I wouldn’t want to comment on this issue.”
