House sold, savings gone, father’s love knows no bounds for teenage rider Alina Shaikh Mansoor. other sports news

As the sports world in India witnesses the second season of the Women’s Premier League, an interesting story has emerged involving a father-daughter duo in the Indian Supercross Racing League. In its inaugural season, ISRL has discovered a gem in the form of Alina Shaikh Mansoor, who at the age of 13 is making waves in the world of motorsports as a rider for SG Speed ​​Racers. Taking inspiration from her father, who has been her idol, coach and mentor since the age of 8, Alina, who has over 60 trophies at home, has emerged as one of the most promising young female racers in the country.

There is no limit to the expenses demanded by motorsports, but Alina’s father’s faith in her is equally great. Having catered to her talent from an early stage, Alina’s father hopes to attract one or two sponsors for his daughter as he hopes the young rider will be able to build the palace she wants to build in motorsports. Will continue laying its bricks.

Speaking with NDTV on the sidelines of the Indian Supercross Racing League in Bengaluru, Alina’s father shed light on his daughter’s journey as a rider, which started when she was just 8 years old.

“Alina was about 8 years old when she started riding. In the beginning, she was very attracted to my superbike which is a Kawasaki Z800. Both she and my other daughter Zina wanted to ride. So I gave her a 50cc bike . They are Chinese bikes like I use and throw bikes. So in that she started learning to ride. She was happy to ride and she learned balance and she was very fast. And she wanted to race. Initially, I Told him let’s practice some more.

“Then we bought him a Kawasaki KLX 110, on which he practiced for 3 months. Then I sent his photos and videos to the MRF in the hope of participating in the national championship for the junior category. But, I was informed that the Kawasaki is compatible No. Then we got a KTMSX50 which has better suspension and it’s a two-stroke bike for kids,” he said.

“Then we moved to KTMSX50 and we practiced more because in the beginning we were practicing on flat tracks. Gradually, we moved to invitational races and MRF National Championships Supercross and even MRF National Dirt Track Championships Started. Now, she has more than 60 trophies in the last 4 years,” Alina’s father said, highlighting his daughter’s talent.

Balancing school life and motorsports

It is difficult for a 13 year old to practice motorsports while maintaining a healthy school life. Due to sports injuries, Alina has to miss school for weeks, sometimes months. But, the father-daughter duo is happy that the school is being considerate of their situation.

“Alina, currently, is battling multiple injuries. Due to injuries, we wasted 18 months to 24 months. To manage her injuries, we rest her for at least six months. We have to give her After physiotherapy, we had to give rest and breaks and then slowly we started coming back to racing. But, we are not putting too much pressure on him so that he does not get injured because after 10 days we have the first round of the MRF National Supercross Championship. So we are trying to keep it safe this season.

“As far as her studies are concerned, she goes to school at eight in the morning and comes back around four o’clock. She does everything that a normal school-going child does. However, whenever we go to the races, or during multi-day practice for big events. To hide, we are giving her extra classes. The school is not objecting because it is a matter of pride for them that she is representing them. It is,” he said emphatically.

In a country that loves cricket, making a career in motorsports is difficult, especially because of the money demanded. While Alina’s father cannot afford a coach to help his child hone her skills, she is learning the technical aspects of the game herself through YouTube and other online platforms, to ensure that That the child does not deviate from the track.

From a father to a coach

“It is a long journey for us because cricket in India is something that everyone runs after, even I have been a cricketer in the past.

“This particular sport is very risky and you need a person with him at all times who also travels with him during practice sessions because we don’t have a dedicated coach because we can’t afford to have a dedicated coach. Can pick it up.” Coach. What I do is I learned from Instagram because there are so many academies like we have Glen Helen, we have Fox Raceway, we have MTFX, we have Moto Academy, and based on those videos I learn techniques. I try to understand specific ideas about how to ride, where she needs to improve, I guide her verbally and she watches those videos as well. This is a challenge we face,” he said.

“I work as a project program management consultant in an IT firm. In this game, since it is a very expensive game, I took out about 20 years of my provident fund to buy his bike and very expensive safety gear Because she is a girl and we don’t have sponsors to train her properly.

No cheat meals for Alina

Fitness is also on top of her father’s list, with Alina sticking to an easily digestible diet during most events and protein-rich meals when back home.

“I told him there is no such thing as boys or girls or man or woman. Man and machine. So it’s a machine either woman or girl or boy or man comes and gives a throttle, the bike will go. So It’s about the machine and how you handle that machine is up to you.

“When you’re over 30 if you’re very fit then sure you can go until 35 or 40. But if you’re not fit it’s not fitness and diet and focus on sport when you’re there. What we do is we feed too much soft food, especially during practice and races.

“We don’t give too much hard food because when you jump you sometimes feel like vomiting if you have too much hard food inside and he can’t digest it. So he is only on a soft diet and at home She practices and also runs races. Takes non-vegetarian food. We try to give her good amount of protein, milk and all such things but no oily food. No fake food for her,” he highlighted.

financial difficulties

Given the dire financial straits, Alina’s father is hoping to bring in a sponsor for the young rider and help her pursue her talents in a brutal sport like Motocross.

“We are looking for a company that can sponsor because as Alina’s father I am alone, I have to support her within my salary, get her a bike or proper training in terms of racing or in terms of fitness It is becoming very difficult to get it. Going to the gym because we also have a family to take care of. I have to take care of my mother’s medication alone, I am diabetic and I have to take care of my medication and my three There are daughters also.

“I am finding it very difficult and I even sold my six hundred square foot house because my debts were increasing, personal loans were increasing.

“We don’t have sponsors. Yes, it is very difficult for us to continue but we are trying our best. Any company or any person who is interested in motorsports can help this girl to train properly and take her to the national level. “Can help in performing at the level.” As an international race and represent India,” he concluded.