“Cycling Must Emerge as a Competitive Sport and Cultural Movement Capable of Producing Olympic Champions”: Dr. Mandaviya
“India Targets Top 10 Sporting Nations by 2036, Top 5 by 2047”: Dr. Mandaviya
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today unveiled the trophy of the UCI Class 2.2 Pune Grand Tour, a prestigious international cycling event, at an event held at New Delhi, today.
The unveiling marks a significant milestone in India’s expanding footprint on the global cycling and sports calendar.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the growing prominence of cycling in India’s sporting and fitness ecosystem. He noted that initiatives such as Sundays on Cycle under the Fit India Movement have played a pivotal role in making cycling an integral part of the country’s sporting culture and everyday life.
The Minister also emphasised on India’s remarkable rise in fitness consciousness in recent years, with cycling emerging as a preferred activity for people across age groups.
Describing cycling as one of the most holistic forms of fitness, he stated that it promotes physical endurance, mental well-being and environmental sustainability, while aligning seamlessly with the objectives of the Fit India Movement.
Highlighting India’s readiness to host major international sporting events, Dr. Mandaviya said, “Cycling must be promoted not only as a fitness activity but also as a competitive sport and a cultural movement, capable of producing Olympic champions. Major events such as the University Games and the upcoming grand cycling event in Pune reflect India’s growing capacity to host world-class sporting competitions.”
The Minister further asserted that Indian sports governance is undergoing a transformative phase, guided by athlete-centric policies, transparent selection systems and a firm commitment to gender equality.
Dr. Mandaviya also stated that the UCI Class 2.2 Pune Grand Tour stands as strong evidence of India’s preparedness to deliver sporting events of the highest international standards and reflects the nation’s ambition to emerge as a global sporting powerhouse.
He further noted that these reforms are creating a robust and inclusive sporting ecosystem that nurtures talent at all levels.
With plans to organise more cycling grand tours across different regions of the country, Dr. Mandaviya called upon states such as Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra to recognise and adopt cycling as a state sport, thereby strengthening grassroots participation and talent identification.
Emphasising the importance of institutional harmony, the Minister underscored the need for teamwork among sports federations and highlighted the absence of internal disputes as a key factor in India’s sporting progress.
He also said that a comprehensive 10-year roadmap, along with a long-term 2036 strategy, has already been formulated.
“These initiatives aim to position India among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and within the top five by 2047, coinciding with the centenary of India’s Independence,” he added.
