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In top gear
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Racer Akhil Khushlani has moved into the senior go-kart circuit, all set to step on the gas
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YOUNG AKHIL Khushlani is surely aiming for the top. The 10th std student of Hyderabad Public School, who had won the junior national go-karting title in 2002, repeated the feat when he won the title again at Delhi in December. Akhil thus became the first go-kart racer to win the junior national title on two occasions. This means, all his future competitions will be in the senior group.
"We are waiting for him to complete his tenth class," says Akhil's father Dinesh Khushlani. "Regardless of how well one does in sport, one has to keep up with studies also," he says. "But once his exams are over, a huge pressure will be off our minds and then we can concentrate on advancing his sports career."
Akhil, who began taking part in the sport from the age of 10, has so far participated in 42 races, of which he has won 32. On three occasions, he finished second and twice he was third. Only on five occasions he could not finish among the medal winners. He has won titles in all major karting events such as JK Tyres karting championship, Amaron Karting championship, Kingfisher championship and the MRF championship.
He was sponsored by the Pro AM Karting school where he excelled. He has also taken part in international events. Akhil now plans to take part in the Asia Pacific championship and the Rotax Karting championship. If he wins in the latter event, he will represent India in the world finals. But despite all his victories, no sponsor has come forward yet. "We need sponsorship of about Rs 15 lakh per year. But I am sure that if any organisation comes forward to sponsor Akhil, that company will get more than adequate publicity, since the sponsor's logo will be on view every time Akhil takes part in national and international events. All members of the team will be wearing the sponsor's logo and every time the entire crew travels from city to city, the sponsor will get publicity and mileage," says Dinesh.
"Motor sports has hit peak popularity in Europe, where they have talent promotion companies which act as agents to get sponsors for upcoming sportspersons. Unfortunately, such a set-up does not exist in India. Therefore, sportspersons do not get adequate financial support when they need it most. But we are hopeful that when we do approach sponsors directly, we will get a favourable response from several companies."
"The racing season begins from April and by then Akhil's exams will also be over.Narain Karthikeyan's achievements have given a boost to the sport in India and I think we are going to see a lot more interest being generated in motor sports from now on," says Dinesh.
ABHIJIT SEN GUPTA
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