JAIPUR: To ensure the best possible facilities during the upcoming National Track Cycling Championships, preparations are in full swing at the SMS Stadium velodrome. While the track is under repair and the practice area being broadened among other things, the organisers are also installing two floodlights to ensure the cyclists can train even during late evening hours.
"This is a national level event and standards need to be high. For almost eight months the velodrome has not been used and there has been no maintenance. So there is a lot of work which needs to be done. Maintenance work will be over in the next 10 days. A few additions to the setup are floodlights, makeshift VIP box and a separate media arena. We have also sent invites to a few city schools and colleges, asking them to send students to watch the event. We will also set up a big screen on the main road behind the stadium. This is our effort to ensure there is involvement and awareness about cycling," said organising secretary and Rajasthan Road Riders president Brijendra Singh.
The Cycling Federation of India (CFI) has entrusted Rajasthan Road Riders, a city-based private club, with the responsibility to organise the tournament in the state.
The organising committee president Dr GL Sharma said, "It is for the second time the state has got the opportunity to hold a national level event and this will help popularise the sport among youngsters."
To promote the tournament, the club will organise a cycling ride on Sunday which will be participated by chief secretary Niranjan Arya, home secretary Abhay Kumar, Head of Forest Force DN Pandey and Rajasthan State Sports Council chairman Rajesh Yadav.
The championship is scheduled to be held between December 24 and 28.
