Financial roadblock trips Sachin

PUNE, April 11: Eighteen-year-old Sachin Maruti Jadhav, a member of the Poona District Cycling Club cornered further glory today when he won his sixth race this season. Owning an ordinary Roadster bike, this enthusiastic youngster could soon be on the verge of turning professional provided financial help comes his way.

His earlier string of successes this season include annexing the 60 km Saswad cycle race in December 8217;98, the 60 km Nasrapur Cycle race in January 8217;99, the 65 km cycle race at Bhor in January 8217;99, the Lonavala-Pune 65 km cycle race in March 8217;99 and the 60 km Paud Phata cycle race prior to the present race.

The stumbling blocks for Sachin are his present state of unemployment and absence of sponsors. If this is taken care of, Sachin avers, he would be in a position to own a professional geared bike to enable him to participate in races at a higher level. In the sport for the last two years, he practises daily under coach Ramesh Deokar and Sham Lole.