Srinagar, Oct 11 (Representative) J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday flagged off India’s longest cycling expedition from Srinagar to Kanyakumari. The second edition of the “Race Across India” cycling expedition was flagged off from the Polo View Ground in which 22 teams including national international cyclists were participating and would culminate at the farthest point of the country, Kanyakumari.The Cyclists will cover 3750 km across 12 States and Union Territories (UTs) to reach Kanyakumari. The Cycling expedition has around 15 solo riders and 22 teams comprising two or four members categorized into different age groups. The expedition sponsored by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is the first of its kind in which participants of different age categories and professions are taking part. Cyclists including Doctors, Professors, Students along with those from Army and Paramilitary forces from different parts of the country are participating in this year’s edition of ‘Race Across India’ to make it one of the most famous sporting events of the nation.
On the occasion, the Chief Secretary applauded the efforts of both J&K Sports Council and IOCL for their collaboration in organizing this event in J&K. He showed optimism about the diversity and growth in the number of participants registered for this year’s event. He maintained that the expedition is gaining fame internationally that has materialised into attracting cyclists from some other nations besides a large number from different parts of the country. Dulloo observed that it gave him confidence that this event would become an annual affair, attracting the highest number of participants in the years to come. Dulloo pointed out that numerous events of international prominence are now being organised in Jammu and Kashmir with a large participation of sportspersons of great repute including the ongoing Legends League cricketing event and the Kashmir Marathon event to be held on October 20. The Divisional Head, IOCL, called this event significant which would allow the cyclists to experience India in its true diversity.