State Award-winning cyclist seeks financial aid to continue sporting

Balraj Singh Chauhan, 61, of Hoshiarpur continues to push boundaries in long-distance cycling, defying age-related expectations. Recently conferred with a State Award by the Chief Minister of Punjab on Independence Day, Chauhan has become a symbol of determination and endurance in the sport.

However, despite his accolades and achievements, he faces ongoing financial challenges in continuing his cycling career.

Chauhan, who began cycling at the age of 50, has now completed 1,90,000 kilometres on Indian and international roads at 61. He holds the distinction of being the first Punjabi cyclist to participate in the prestigious London-Edinburgh-London (LEL) challenge not once, but twice. Covering a distance of 1,540 kilometres, this event is often considered the “Olympics of cycling.” Chauhan successfully finished the challenge on both occasions, bringing pride to Punjab and India.

His achievements extend beyond LEL. Chauhan has also participated in the Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP), a 1,220 km cycling event in France and the New Delhi-Kathmandu-Nepal 1,020 km ride, showcasing his indomitable spirit on international platforms. Each event, however, has come at a high personal cost.

“The biggest challenge is not the distance, but the financial burden,” Chauhan shared while speaking to the media after his felicitation. For every international event, a cyclist must first register by depositing a hefty fee, often running into lakhs of rupees.

The cost of a professional sports bicycle itself runs into several lakhs and transporting it overseas for events adds another significant expense. Maintenance and spare parts, he explained, are sometimes more expensive than that of a car.

Even domestic cycling competitions demand heavy expenditure. Traveling to events across the country, covering distances from 200 to 1,500 km, costs thousands to lakhs. “People often ask me how much money I earn by cycling,” he says with a smile. “When I tell them that I don’t get money, the next question is, then why do you do it? The truth is, passion has kept me going. But passion alone cannot bear financial strain forever.”

Despite his international stature, Chauhan has not received sponsorships from any local institution or government body so far. His achievements and dedication have mostly been fuelled by personal savings and family support. “My family often tells me that I have already spent too much money on this sport,” he admits. “And they are not wrong. Without external help, it is becoming increasingly difficult to continue at this level.” That is why, while he humbly accepted the State Award on Independence Day, Chauhan used the occasion to appeal for more systematic financial assistance and sponsorships.