Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, led a special cycle rally in Telangana on Saturday to mark International Women’s Day.
The event, held at Kanha Shanti Vanam, saw participation from state sports ministers, athletes, and administrators, all coming together to celebrate the strength and achievements of women in sports and beyond.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Mandaviya emphasized the importance of recognizing women’s contributions in various fields, especially in sports. He stated that the cycle rally was a symbol of "Nari Shakti," representing the determination, leadership, and excellence of women.
As part of the celebrations, Mandaviya, along with Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi and former badminton champion Pullela Gopichand, launched the Asmita newsletter.
This publication highlights the ‘Sports for Women’ initiative introduced by the government in 2021. It also showcases the success of Asmita leagues, which are helping young female athletes pursue careers in sports.
Gopichand, who has coached Olympic medalists like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, stressed the importance of promoting women’s sports. He noted that women have won more Olympic medals for India in recent years, making it crucial to provide them with greater support and opportunities.
The cycling rally was led by Assam Sports Minister Nandita Gorlosa, women trainees from Gopichand’s badminton academy, and para-athlete Deepthi Jeevanji, a bronze medalist at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Mandaviya, who actively participated in the rally, reiterated the need for cycling as a regular fitness activity. He linked the initiative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Fit India Movement, urging citizens to dedicate time to physical activity.
His Sundays on Cycle campaign has gained momentum across the country, encouraging people to incorporate cycling into their routine for a healthier lifestyle.
“Cycling should become a trend and a powerful tool to combat obesity and lifestyle diseases,” Mandaviya said. “I encourage everyone to strengthen the Fit India Movement by spending at least an hour every Sunday on fitness.”
The event concluded with discussions on policies to further support women’s sports, with 15 state sports ministers joining Mandaviya in outlining future initiatives.
The rally was not just a celebration of women’s achievements but also a call to action for promoting fitness and gender equality in sports.
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