Pune Grand Tour, ASMITA Cycling League, and UCI recognition headline India’s rising global stature in competitive cycling.
A Transformational Review in Delhi
On July 2, 2026, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Smt. Raksha Khadse convened a high‑level review meeting with Shri Maninder Pal Singh, Secretary General of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), to chart the next phase of India’s cycling ecosystem. The discussions spanned grassroots participation, elite athlete development, and international competitiveness—signaling a comprehensive vision for India’s emergence as a global cycling hub.
Courtesy: Press Information Bureau India
Key Highlights from the Meeting
- Pune Grand Tour: The upcoming edition continues to elevate India’s standing on the international cycling calendar, offering Indian riders exposure against world‑class athletes.
- Global Recognition: The UCI Annual Report 2026 accorded special recognition to India, with Director General Amina Lanaya praising the success of the Pune Grand Tour 2025 and India’s growing sporting spirit.
- Elite Training Pathways: Cyclist Harshita Jakhar became the first Indian inducted into the prestigious UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) Elite Programme. Alongside her, five elite sprinters—Ronaldo Singh, Esow Alban, Rojit Singh, David Beckham Elkatohchoongo, and James Singh—joined the WCC in Switzerland, supported by a dedicated coaching staff.
- ASMITA Cycling City League: Emerging as one of India’s largest women‑centric grassroots initiatives, ASMITA has created structured competitive opportunities for women cyclists across districts and cities.
- High‑Performance Focus: The roadmap emphasized sports science integration, advanced coaching, and seamless progression from district competitions to international platforms.
Minister’s Vision
Smt. Raksha Khadse underscored the transformational change in India’s sporting ecosystem under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, citing Khelo India and Fit India as catalysts for grassroots talent identification.
“Cycling possesses immense potential in our country. Through sustained collaboration between the Government, federations, and stakeholders, we can nurture world‑class athletes capable of bringing glory to India on the global stage,” she said.
Her remarks highlighted India’s ambitions for success at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.
Leave a Reply