Srinagar, June 22: After successfully organising run for old city (Shahr-e-Khaas), the J&K Sports Development Association (JKSDA) is going to organise 2nd Kashmir Cycling Challenge here on July 17.
 The inaugural event held last year on July 26 was huge hit among the cyclists of Valley with around 300 cyclists including top ones participating in it. Unlike last year, this time event would be flagged off from Habak Crossing and it will culminate at Nun Kun Park Boulevard via Fore Shore Road, Nishat and Boulevard road.
 There would be two competing categories, Open category and Under-17 School boys’ category and the event would be flagged off in the morning at 5:30. This year, organisers are contemplating on increasing the number of participants from lasts years 300 to 500.
 “It is the second time that such type of cycling event would be held in the State. It is tribute on part of JKSDA to cycling talent of the State who has been making the State proud at national arena” JKSDA Vice-President Sajid Dar said.
 “Last year we saw how much talent we have got in cycling, this time the event is going to be much bigger,” he said.
 He said, “This is going to be grand cycling event and in it top cyclists of the State are going to participate. We want to make the event a show piece cycling event of the State. And in the coming years it can turn out as National level event in which Cyclists from all over Country would be competing”.
 Sajid said that in J&K State there is an urgency to give attention to sports disciplines other than cricket and football.
 “In our State people only know about major games like football and cricket and hardly any one knows how much talent we have got in sports disciplines like Cycling. Our cyclists have been doing well recently and many have started to compete in professional cycling events across country” he said.
 “But due to lack of major cycling event in the State the cycling is not getting any boost. Keeping these things in mind the J&K Sports Development Association which has a motive and aim to develop the overall sports structure of the State has decided to organize a grand cycling event in Srinagar” Sajid added.
 Last years the event was sponsored by J&K Bank and Magpie Hydel Private Ltd and this time too JKSDA is planning to approach number of sponsors including JK Bank and Magpie.
 “We will be requesting corporate houses like JK Bank, Magpie, Rahim Greens and others to sponsor the event and if every thing goes according to plan then the event would turn out as grand success. We will request them to grant cash reward for the winners of both the categories and we hope they will sanction it as well” he said.
 “Last year we limited number of participants to only 300. However, this time we are thinking about increasing it upto 500. The number will be high so will be competition and the event itself” he added.
 “We request parents not to send minor riders for the participation as their will be competition of only open and Under-17 category,” he added.
 For further details interested cyclists have been asked to contact or register their names with JKSDA organising Secretary Reyaz Wani: 9596519529.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST