Kerala wins Mountain Biking National Championship

Srinagar: Kerala lifted the overall champions (winners) trophy while hosts Jammu and Kashmir bagged the runners-up prize as the four day Ninth Mountain Biking National Championship concluded here today with state Governor N N Vora distributing the prizes.
Governor Vora presented the winners’ trophy to the Kerala team and the runners’ up trophy to the home team at the S P Higher Secondary School Auditorium here while District and Development Commissioner, Govt of Jammu & Kashmir, Mehrajuddin Kakru presented the individual medals to the winners.
In his address, Governor Vora thanked the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) for choosing Srinagar as the venue for the games and extended whole hearted support to the CFI for hosting cycling activities in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, CFI Secretary General Aboobacker Saraf said the Federation was encouraging sportsmen living in different parts of the country with the help of Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India.
“The Govt of India has entrusted a major role to CFI, not only to produce world class cyclists but also keep our young population healthy and young through cycling. We have more than 18 cores of students studying at different levels all over the country. With a view to motivate and encourage this massive pool of talent, CFI has taken up a novel project with the slogan of ‘Do Cycling for Young India’, he said.
The project is being implemented with the active support of the Human Resources Development Ministry of the Government of India, he said adding CFI has also set its eyes on getting India a deserved pride of place in the 2020 Olympics.
President of the Cycling Association of J&K Masood Ahmed, also spoke on the occasion while Rauf Ahamed, Treasurer, J&K Cycling Association proposed the vote of thanks.
Cyclists from Kashmir dominated the events on the third day of the Ninth Mountain Biking National Championships yesterday while Kerala girls dominated the events on the first and second day.
About 500 cyclists representing 16 teams from across the country participated in the championship, which was held after a gap of three years following the directions of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.