Two-day Khelo India Women’s Championship Road Cycling concluded at Eco Park on 18 February.
It was organized by the West Bengal Cyclists Association (WBCA) and the Kolkata Society of Cultural Heritage (KSCH). It was sanctioned by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the ministry of sports and youth affairs.
More than 250 women cyclists from Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Manipur took part in various road cycling events.
The event was inaugurated by Arpita Mukherjee, who explained the significance of hosting the event for the second consecutive time. She highlighted the mission of KSCH to use sports for the all round development of boys and girls, offering opportunities for a career in sports and promoting social entrepreneurship.
The purpose of the event was to tap into the best of women’s sports talents across the states, providing a platform to compete.
Sourav Mukherjee, president KSCH, said the cycling championship conforms with the United Nations Sustainable Development goals that include gender equality, sustainable gender development, climate action and preservation of terrestrial ecosystems.
It may be mentioned that New Town is the only township in the country that has introduced cycle hiring scheme where a person can hire a cycle, visit the places he wanted to and park the cycle after paying the requisite charges. Every cycle is fitted with GPS. It is also the only township in the country that has a 35km graded cycle path.