SHAH ABBAS
Srinagar
In the first week of December, Srinagar will be hosting 400 international cyclists from 128 countries including all the Asian countries. Committed and aiming to make cycling a national sport for the young, Godrej Eon Tour De India in association with Godrej Eon will take a step towards connecting people for a chance to experience a thrilling adventure of cycling. The cyclists will participate in 126 km race from Dal Lake to Kashmir University and then back to the lake on December 5, 2012. It will be attended by as many as 20, 000 people.
Godrej Eon Tour de India 2012, the biggest cycling race in India organized by ID Sports, has announced the first ever professional race to be held in Srinagar. The representatives of Godrej Eon Tour De India on Friday had a high level joint meeting with state authorities including Director General of Police and Director Tourism in which the date and venue for the international cycling event was finalized.
The sport is growing internationally in size its impact is expected to create a revolutionary culture in Kashmir. The event will witness around 400 international cyclists inclusive of teams like Team Rabobank, team Lotto and Team Astana along with approximately 20,000 people.
Godrej Eon Tour de India promises the most enchanting experience for the cyclists during the race in Srinagar with its twisted tracks.
“Air India is happy to fly the international cyclists to the most exotic location of the country to be a part of the cycling event Tour de India. The cycling event will be a good opportunity to showcase the country’s scenic beauty and the talented young cyclist professionals to the world”. Capt Kapil Raina Sr.Commander & Training Captain, Nodal Crew Mgmt System, Air India, said.
The event has become possible only after three years of efforts by Capt Kapil Raina and his colleagues who met the state authorities a number of times and finally got a nod.
“We are delighted with the fact that Godrej Eon Tour de India will witness the most enchanting location of the country. We look to celebrate this association as an exciting season of representing a great congruence of talent, cause and innovation. With this initiative, we aim at making cycling a part of a popular sporting culture in the country,” said Ramesh Chembath, assistant Vice President Marketing, Godrej Appliances.
“We are excited to be in Srinagar and conduct the first ever professional cycling race here as our endeavor to make cycling, a national sport,” said Dr. Akil Khan, CMD, ID Sports.
“Cycling through the rigorous mountain ranges of Kashmir is going to be very adventurous. We will get an opportunity to showcase the valley’s beauty, the scenic mountain ranges and the beautiful lakes of Srinagar to the international cyclists who will participate in Godrej Eon Tour de India. We are hoping to launch cyclists of the international standards from the city,” he added.
According to minister for Youth Services & Sports R S Chib “We are delighted to host Tour de India the cycling event in Kashmir/valley. We have very talented cyclists over here and we believe with Tour de India the enthusiasts will be more excited to participate and consider making this sport as their profession”.
Zahoor Malik, Director Ridhi Sidhi (Adarsh Group), says, “We are happy to associate with the biggest visionary, landmark property in the country Godrej Eon Tour de India, cycling event that will be conducted on the beautiful streets of Kashmir”.
Tour de India 2012 is a multiple-city cycling race promoted by ID Sports. ID Sports is India’s only company to bring International Cycling to India and lay the foundation of professional cycling races in India since 2010. Promotion of cycling as a sport and simultaneously State Tourism has always been one of the defining factors of various Cyclothons, Tour de Mumbai and Tour de Delhi organized by ID Sports.
Godrej Eon is the one of the largest players of Home Appliances in India and has always delighted the consumer with relevant technology in a wide range of efficient products.
