Cambodia's Top Cyclist

Last weekend I picked up a copy of The Cambodia Daily in Phnom Penh. I realised that the national team cyclists face the same problems as Bunting and other runners in the athletics team. Consider this opening sentence from the article, Free Rider:


Lin Eng's career took off when he left Cambodia's cycling federation to train on his own. Now that he's back with the national team, can he keep up the pace?


To summarise the article:


1. When Eng was 19 years old, he bought a second-hand bike for $120 to start training. I.e. he's a self-starter who is motivated by a raw passion for the sport.


2. He raced in national events when he started riding, placing third, third, second and fourth over four years. Translation: he has performed consistently at the national level.


3. When the cycling federation dropped riders' salaries from $120 to $40 per month, Eng stayed with the team. He's not in it for the money!


4. However, he was disappointed with the poor training and lack of equipment so Lin Eng left the team. Eng worked with a cycling tour company and rode all around the country. He taught himself about training techniques through books and DVDs. This is part of the problem with elite sports in this country. At the top level, Cambodian coaches know less than the athletes. This doesn't need to be a huge problem if they are willing to work together, learn together and show mutual respect. In an old-school, hierarchical culture, however, this is very unlikely to happen!


5. Last year, 31 year old Eng became the national champion in both the road racing and mountain bike events. Major win. He totally delivered the goods.


6. Therefore, he has re-joined the national team so that he can represent Cambodia at international events. The question is: Can the federation handle him? Will their ignorance in training techniques and their mismanagement of funding cost Lin Eng the joy of performing at his peak? Or will a few determined individuals succeed in sport anyway, despite the obstacles? I hope so!