PATIALA: The Punjabi University Model ‘School here has achieved an envious distinction of being the cradle of cyclists in the ‘state.
During the pest five years, the school has produced nearly two dozen prominent cyclists who have made a mark at various national level meets. Most of the members of the Punjab cycling teams for different competitions are drawn from this school.
To cap it all a student of the school, Suichraj Singh Cheema (17) has attained a place among the country’s top peddlers. He has been selected as member of the Indian team for a tour to Russia and for participation in other international competitions in. China and Czechoslovakia.
‘The school has fully exploited the facility ‘of a modem velodrome on the university campus for grooming its cyclists. The velodrome here is the only of its kind in the State. Even the national teams are also imparted training bere on many occasions.
Mrs, Harminder Kaur, the Principal of the school, who has been instrumental in encouraging the students to take to cycling says that the school will honor Sukhraj.
Maninder Singh Sidhu a Class IX stud~ cat of the school representing Punjab in the recently concluded Jumior and SubJunior National Cycling Meet at’ Coimbatore was adjudged the best in the subjunior section. ‘The seven member Punjab team concluded. five cyclists from this school.
Sukhraj Cheema who took up cycling in 1986 created a new record besides securing. five gold a silver and a bronze at the National Cycling Meet at Hyderabad last year. The same year during the Trivandrum ‘National Games, Sukhraj won two bronze. medals in the time trial and Italian pursuit. He won two gold, a bronze and a cash award of Rs 1650 during last year’s Punjab State Games. Sukhraj was adjudged the best rider in the Open Punjab Cycling Meet here recently, winning three gold and a silver.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 28, 1989
