Sprinter Amiya Mallick on strict diet before Jamaican sojourn

The sprinter said during the training he would sharpen skills to improve his timing. "My target is to qualify for the two important events this year," said Mallick, who began his sports activities from his schooling days.

"They are Commonwealth Games at Glasgow in Canada scheduled in July-August and the Asian Games at Incheon in South Korea in September-October this year," he said.

Mallick has already been credited for his impressive state, national and international athletic feats.

"Like every athlete, I do have Olympic dreams, but I am not in a hurry. I want to go step by step," he said.

A native of Olansh village in Cuttack district, Mallick's father Arakhita works as a section officer in the education department of the state government and stays in the state capital here.

Amiya's mother is a housewife and sister is doing Bachelor in Technology at a private engineering college in Bhubaneswar.

Mallick's dream came true when the world famous Racers Track Club, founded by Mills at Jamaica, accepted his request to train him.

He will be able to undergo the five-month training from Jan 15 with the financial assistance from the state government and the Odisha Olympic Association among others.

Mallick had an open quadriceps surgery about two years ago after he suffered a serious leg injury at Bangalore in October 2011. He returned to action in December 2012.

"He is an excellent athlete. He has always made us proud. We are confident he will bring more glory to the state and the country," Odisha Olympic Association general secretary Ashirbad Behera said.