PATIALA: Khelo India National Women's Track Cycling League competitions started at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala's Cycling Velodrum in a joint venture between Cycling Federation of India, Ministry of Sports, Government of India and Sports Authority of India.
The league was inaugurated by Asian Cycling Confederation General Secretary Onkar Singh, Cycling Federation of India General Secretary Maninderpal Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Awardee Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, Cycling Federation of India League Coordinator Neeraj Tanwar.
On this occasion, the General Secretary of the Asian Cycling Confederation, Onkar Singh, while addressing the players, said that
the National Khelo India Women's Track Cycling League competition, which is being held for the first time in Punjab, is a matter of great pride for Punjabis. He said that with such league competitions, girls will get an opportunity to join the sport of cycling. He said that the federation is making continuous efforts to encourage the players. Its meaningful results are also coming out.
In his message, International Kabaddi player and MLA Gurlal Singh Ghanaur said that there is no shortage of talent in the country, there is a need to identify the skills and give them the right direction. He said that today girls are not less than boys in any field. Women are winning the highest number of medals for India in various international sports events. He said that he is very hopeful that women cylists would perform well in this event also.
Asian Games medalist Ritu Rani said that through sports, where a player gets physically fit, he also gets a different identity in the society. As players excel in the field of sports, their ability to perform well in other fields also increases.
As per the results of today's events, In the 500m individual time trial (senior category), Kirti Rangan Swamy (Karnataka) won gold with a time of 41.015 seconds, Aarti (Uttrakhand) won silver with 43.479 seconds and Mukul (Haryana) with 44.301 seconds won the bronze medal.
In the 500m individual time trial (junior category), J shrimathi (Tamil Nadu) won the gold medal with a time of 39.943 seconds, Divina Joy (Kerala) won the silver medal with a time of 43.243 seconds and Pushpa Kumari (Patiala) with a time of 44.362 seconds won the bronze medal by taking the time.
In 500m individual time trial (sub junior category), Harshita Jakhar (NIS Patiala) won gold with a time of 40.161 seconds, Sarita Kumari (NIS Patiala) won silver with a time of 40.682 seconds. Dhanyada JP (Tamil Nadu) won the bronze medal with a time of 41.719 seconds.
Society for Sportsperson Welfare has played an important role in conducting this league.
On this occasion Senior ED NIS Col. Raj Singh Bishnoi, Gurjit Singh Romana former DSP Punjab Police, Joginder Singh, Baljit Singh Brar Retired Coach PSPCL, Amrinder Singh Dullat Sports Officer PSPCL, Satinderpal Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh awardee Kamalpreet Sharma, District Sports Officer Shashwat Razdan, Cashier of Society for Sports Person Welfare and international cyclist Bakshish Singh, Harjit Singh chmaarheri, Balehaar Singh Cheema, Lucky daun, Amandeep coach, Poonam Bala Sports Authority of India Officials were specially present.