Lack of support and encouragement will not deter me from becoming an Olympian: State cyclist Ronaldo
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 19 2019:
Latonjam Ronaldo has expressed disappointment over the lack of support and encouragement from the State even though he had set a new Asian record and also made country proud by clinching 2 gold and 1 silver medals in the recently conducted "26th Junior Asian Track Cycling Championship 2019" at Jakarta.
Speaking to Sangai Express, the young cyclist asserted that he will train hard and thrive for the very best in his field in order to be a part of Indian Cycling team in 2024 Olympics even though there is no support from the State.
Ronaldo is currently undergoing training at National Cycling Academy, New Delhi, under the sponsorship of Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Saying that all his friends from other States who got medals in International event were warmly received by their Governments and even gave them cash awards, Ronaldo maintained that he had not received any such recognition from the State, except some praises from his friend.
He said that he began his journey as a sportsperson in the early 2016 by joining swimming class of Coach T Chaoba at Modern College before joining National Cycling Academy in June 22, 2016 .
The young cyclist also clinched bronze medal in U-14 pursuit for the State at U-14 National Cycling Championship, which was recently held at Kerala.
Ronaldo also claimed few more medals in the National Championship held at Delhi this year.
He won gold in U-16 team sprint; silver in 500m individual time trial; gold in U-18 team sprint; bronze in 1 km individual time trial and another bronze in the 200m sprint in the said championship.
He then goes on to win one gold medal each in "Keirin" and "Sprint" event in a Sprint Cup held at Germany in June in 2018 and Cottbuser Sprint Cup held in later part of the same month.
In the "26th Asian Track Cycling Championship 2019" held at Jakarta, Ronaldo not only took gold medal in the team sprint but also helped open a new chapter for Indian cyclist by setting a new Asian record.
Keithelakpam James and Yanglem Rojit was also a part of the said team.
He also won 2 gold and 1 silver medals in the said championship.
After returning from Asian Championship, Ronaldo set two National records, one in junior team sprint and another in senior team sprint, at 71st Senior and 48 Junior National Cycling Championship held at Jaipur from January 30 to February 3, this year.
He also won one silver medal in senior sprint and bronze in individual time trial.
Despite winning many laurels for the State and the country in the short duration, the young cyclist has not received any support or encouragement from the State Government/any individuals or groups.
Saying that he will leave Imphal to join National camp for the upcoming junior world cycling championship and Asian cycling championship in few days, Ronaldo added that Irungbam Gautamani Devi, who is a physical education teachers of Youth Affairs Sports Department and a Coach of the said camp, look after him.
Laitonjam Ronaldo is the eldest son of Late Laitonjam Romen (Kame) and L Sundari Devi and has one brother.
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