TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Cyclist Shreedhar N Sabmur, employee of South Western Railway from Jamkandi Utter Karnataka led from the start to finish to bag the top honour in 2nd All India Bicycle Race (from Vasco Municipality to Verna and back) organized by Domrine Social Cultural and Sports Club, Vasco, Wednesday.
Hundreds of spectators thronged along the Verna-Vasco route to get the glimpse of the cyclists. The Goan cyclists gave a poor account of themselves as they failed to match their rivals from Karnataka.
Shreedhar was awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000. Basuraj Kadpatti of Bagalkot bagged the second place and cash purse of Rs 25,000 while Bemmappa Vijay of Belgaum won the third place and was richer by Rs 15,000.
Earlier, businessman Nana Bandekar, president of Goa Chamber of Commerce, who was the guest of honour flagged off the race.
Former international footballer and Salgaocar Sports Club coach Derrick Pereira, National car racers Amul Satoshkar and Vaibhav Marathe, International chess player Ivana Furtado, National Squash Champion Yash Fadte and DID Super Mom runners-up Cecile Rodrigues were felicitated by Chief Guest MLA Vijay Sardessai and Nana Bandekar.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardessai lauded the efforts of former revenue minister and chairman of the organizing committee Jose Philip D’Souza for giving platforms for the budding cyclist to hone their skills and also congratulated him for recognizing the good work done by the sportspersons and wished the club good luck in their future endeavours.
Nana complimented Jose Philip for conducting such big event and assured help in future to make this race memorable.
Further, he requested him to keep special prize for the Goan.
Jose Philip was overwhelmed with this year’s participants and dedicated the race to his late brother Jose Niclau, who worked tirelessly behind the curtains for the success of the first year race and added we will work for the welfare of Vasco sportsmen.
Also present were Councillors of MCC Pascoal D’Souza, Nanny D’Souza, Lavina D’Souza, Jerry Fernandes, Sunita Lendes, Tara Kerkar and Nitin Chopdekar.
In all 700 participants participated.
