Bikes for cyclists finally arrive but stuck at Delhi airport

NEW DELHI - The imported bikes of the Indian cyclists for the Commonwealth Games finally arrived here Sunday after an year’s wait, but are still lying at the Delhi International airport awaiting necessary clearances.

The cyclists, who are training in Patiala with their not-so-sophisticated personal bikes, are still to ride their new machines with just 20 days to go for the Commonwealth Games.

The cycles are at the cargo area of the airport and the riders will only be able to use them by the end of the week.

The Cycling Federation of India (CFI) said they are awaiting the Bank Release Order (BRO) required for the clearance of the bikes.

“It has been two days since the cycles arrived. We have not been able to get the required clearances. It is unfortunate that there is further delay in making the equipment available to our rider,” Dipender Singh Rathore, CFI sports manager, told IANS.

The cyclists had also asked for other basic equipments like tubulars, helmets and one- piece suits but the orders are yet to be placed.

“It is good that the bikes have come but they will not be able to use other imported equipment for which the order has not been placed,” Rathore said.

The 46 cycles which arrived in Delhi are manufactured by a British manufacturer Dolan, and comprise 28 track cycles, 12 road bikes and six time-trial bikes.

The money for the bikes was sanctioned by the sports ministry in July 2009.

Bikram, a team member, said they are eagerly waiting for the new bikes.

“We are told that the bikes have come. It is time we get to use them now. We need time to adapt to these bikes as they are a lot different from the ones we are riding now.”

The responsibility of procuring the equipment rests with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) after the Sports Authority of India failed to find a bike manufacturer.

The cycling squad has been facing a lot of problems and some of the members are recovering from dengue that they contracted in Delhi.