New Delhi, July 2: The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Raksha Khadse, held a comprehensive review meeting on Thursday with Maninder Pal Singh, Secretary General of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), and senior officials of the federation. The meeting focused on strengthening India’s cycling ecosystem through increased grassroots participation, improved athlete development, and enhanced international competitiveness.
The primary aim of the discussion was to create a structured roadmap for cyclists. This includes identifying talent at the grassroots level, community involvement, high-performance training, sports science, excellent coaching, and international exposure. The meeting also reviewed India’s growing engagement with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the progress being made to establish India as an emerging global hub for competitive cycling.
A key topic of discussion was the upcoming edition of the Pune Grand Tour, which continues to enhance India’s standing in the international cycling calendar. The minister emphasized that internationally recognized competitions not only provide Indian cyclists with invaluable experience against world-class athletes but also showcase India’s increasing capability to successfully host global sports events.
During the meeting, Maninder Pal Singh noted that India received special recognition in the UCI’s 2026 annual report for its growing contribution to global cycling. In her message included in the report, UCI Director General Amina Lanaya praised the efforts of the Cycling Federation of India, highlighting the success of the Pune Grand Tour 2025.
The federation also informed the minister about another significant achievement in Indian cycling. Harshita Jakhad has been selected as the first Indian cyclist to join the prestigious UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) Elite Training Program. Additionally, five of India’s top sprinters—Ronaldo Singh, Aso Elban, Rojit Singh, David Beckham Elkatohchungo, and James Singh—along with four support staff members, will participate in the UCI World Cycling Centre program in Aigle, Switzerland. The minister welcomed this important development, stating that such opportunities will provide Indian cyclists and coaches with world-class training, sports science support, and international experience, thereby strengthening India’s long-term high-performance ecosystem.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Khelo India Asmita Cycling City League. This initiative has emerged as one of India’s largest women-centric grassroots cycling programs, creating organized competitive opportunities for female cyclists across various cities and districts. The minister remarked that the enthusiastic participation observed under Asmita reflects the growing involvement of women in sports and the success of creating an inclusive and sustainable pathway to identify and nurture future champions. She praised the initiative’s role in enhancing grassroots participation and strengthening the talent pipeline for Indian cycling.
Additionally, discussions were held on enhancing the domestic competition framework, strengthening coaching and technical capabilities, promoting greater grassroots participation, utilizing sports science and technology, and creating smoother pathways for talented cyclists to progress from district and state-level competitions to national and international platforms.
On this occasion, Raksha Khadse stated, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is witnessing a significant transformation in its sports ecosystem. Through initiatives like ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Fit India,’ we are creating more opportunities for participation, identifying grassroots talent, and establishing a robust pathway for excellence in sports. There is immense potential in cycling in our country, and through continuous collaboration among the government, sports associations, and all stakeholders, we can develop world-class athletes who will bring glory to India on the global stage.”
Khadse also emphasized that a strong grassroots ecosystem, quality coaching, scientific training methods, and consistent experience through national and international competitions will play a crucial role in preparing Indian cyclists for success at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and the Olympics.
During the meeting, the Indian government reiterated its commitment to strengthening sports infrastructure, promoting women’s participation, supporting high-performing athletes, and creating a world-class sports ecosystem in line with the vision of ‘Developed India 2047.’
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