PANAJI: A record number of 500 men, women and children participated in 75-km and 30-km ‘Fun Freedom Cycling Rides’ on Sunday, August 15, 2021. The event was organised by Goa’s popular cycling club, Margao-based Xaxti Riders, to celebrate the spirit of freedom and unity, states a press release.
Headquarters Goa Naval Area (GNA) and Verna Industries Association (VIA) partnered with Xaxti Riders to mark the beginning of Platinum Jubilee Year of Indian Independence. The event was also supported by Goa Olympic Association.
“This unprecedented participation has fulfilled our dream to inspire both young and old to take to cycling for fun and fitness,” said Sameer Nadkarni, president, Xaxti Riders.
“We are extremely happy and privileged to be associated with Xaxti Riders for this impressive cycling event,” said Chief Guest Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil, Flag Office Commanding Goa Naval Area, after flagging off the 75-km ride from Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. “We would most certainly and wholeheartedly participate in such sporting events in future too.”
The 30-km Cycling Ride was flagged-off jointly by Guests of Honour, former India cricketer Mohinder Amarnath and founder of Verna Industries Association, Nitin Kunkolienker, from Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
Pradip da Costa, president of Verna Industries Association (VIA) was equally supportive. “This is the silver jubilee year of Verna Industries Association,” he revealed. “We felt that one of the ideal ways celebrating it was to collaborate with Xaxti Riders and promote environmentally-friendly and health-promoting cycling activity.”
For the first time ever, nearly one of every four riders was a woman or a child. “It was seven to seventy-nine,” says Nadkarni of Xaxti Riders. “Our youngest rider was Rylan D’costa (7) and oldest, Retd Wing Commander, Ajit Guglani (79). In addition, the 77-years-old Admiral Arun Prakash, former Chief of the Naval Staff and a veteran of the 1971 Indo-Pak War, also completed the 30-km ride,” informed Nadkarni.
The rides were conducted in strict adherence to Covid Safety Protocols, whereby the riders were flagged-off in batches of less than 100. Moreover, wearing face mask and producing vaccination certificate was mandatory for every rider. All the participating cyclists were awarded an elegantly designed and crafted ‘Finishers’ Medal’, added the media release.
Very well organised