NEW DELHI (India): The Khelo India E-pathshala programme for grassroot cyclists and coaches was inaugurated by Indian sports minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday.
Rijiju inaugurated the programme via a webinar, which featured participation of cyclist, coaches from across the country.
More than 1500 cyclists, coaches attended the first day of the programme.
The e-pathshala programme will be held through webinar and social media Monday to Friday for a month from 11 AM to 12 PM.
Speaking on the occasion Rijiju said the need for changing the crises to opportunity prevailing due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.
He stressed on the importance of cycling in daily lives and reiterated the vision of a healthy India through such programmes.
He applauded the efforts of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Cycle Federation of India (CFI) for their continued efforts in bringing cycling as a sport to the World Level.
He hoped with this joint efforts of CFI and SAI would surely get better results and with growing cyclists at grass root level would turn to the cycling into medal winning venture.
CFI President Parminder Singh Dhindsa complemented the SAI for supporting the project and bringing India cycling to the level.
SAI DG Sandip Pradhan also assured the participants of the support of SAI in developing the sports infrastructure and sports culture in general and cycling in particular.
“SAI and CFI partnership in various programmes has converted cycling academies into a successful venture and is an example and template for other sports also,” he said.
He complimented CFI for this very knowledgeable venture, which really is need of the have for grass root level in this difficult period of Covid-19
Onkar Singh, Secretary General, Asian Cycling Confederation and Chairman, CFI briefed the participants of the journey of how the Indian cycling and the various programmes in association with SAI have been a game changer like World Cycling Centres and National Centre of Excellence.
