Motocross is a highly specialised discipline which takes alot of skill and finance for a rider to stay grounded in the sport. Though thesport is gaining popularity in the country it is not adequately promoted in thestate. To boast of a motocross culture, there must be a sizeable chunk ofriders pursuing the sport and Goa lacks in that respect too. But, though Goamay not have the quantity, it certainly has the quality to win the nationalchampionship as Javed Shaikh proved it this season by winning the MRF NationalSupercross Championship.
Racing has been Javed's passion and the 25-year-old isdelighted with his success at the prestigious MRF event. The crowning glory forJaved has come just after a year since he first got the taste of what it is tocompete in the national championship after his debut in 2011. The speed withwhich Javed has reached the top, shows the immense talent, he has.
Javed rode his 2006-model KTM 250cc bike, and beat hisrivals for the top prize by a handsome margin. However, looking to the future,Javed is a bit stressed. "I will need a better bike for next season. I hope government supports me to get a newbike. Fisheries Minister, Avertano Furtado has promised help through S.A.G. Iam hopeful," says Javed.
Though Sports Authority of Goa is generally supportive ofmotocross riders, the government body that looks after all sports in the state,has not yet found a place to create a permanent motocross track or trainingacademy in Goa. As a result most of the riders practice on private lands byspending their own money to create the jumps. Moreover, the sport in itself hasa meager prize money and as such, champions like Javed, who is unemployed andhas no skill other than racing, along with many other raw talents from Goa,need to be encouraged.
So how did Javed become the rider he is? His uncle ShakilAhmed says: "Javed used to participate in cycle races and since he won amotorcycle event in the 90s, took up racing as his first sport. He playsfootball as well to maintain his physical fitness, which is a key aspect ofracing. People may not realise the importance of fitness in racing sport, butto keep up with the demands of motocross, one needs a strong body."
Javed's rise to the top in motocross, is a triumph ofpassion. There are many others who can come up to this level, but the financialrequirement is a big barrier. While a foreign bike costs lakhs of rupees, theprize money is just a few thousands. This lop-sided equation needs to change toencourage more youngsters to take up motocross passionately. The government canalso chip in by creating a permanent motocross facility and ease up thefinancial burden on those who want to practice regularly.
