As host, Ahmedabad pedals to show CWG pride

Gandhinagar: Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya participated in a cycling event in Ahmedabad on Sunday to mark Commonwealth Games Day and the 75th edition of ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’. Across the country, comparable events were organized at nearly 8,000 locations as part of a build-up to Ahmedabad hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

While Mandaviya and deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi attended the 6am event at the Sabarmati Riverfront, nearly 5,000 cyclists took part in the 5-km ride, including several personalities from sports and entertainment fields.

Former CWG medalists and Olympians, including Gurjit Kaur, Rajani Etimarpu, Sonika Tandi, Anjum Moudgil, Ankur Mittal and Trupti Murgunde, joined other athletes and members of the sporting fraternity to show support for India’s preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

The Union sports minister also inaugurated a Commonwealth Games-themed exhibition highlighting India’s sporting achievements, growth of infrastructure under the Khelo India Mission and the country’s expanding sports ecosystem ahead of the centenary CWG in 2030.

Speaking at the event, Mandaviya said hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Gujarat was a matter of pride for the country. “Today is the 75th edition of ‘Sundays on Cycle’ and also ‘Commonwealth Day’. It is a matter of pride for all of us that Gujarat will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030,” he said.

Highlighting the benefits of cycling, the minister urged people in Gujarat to use bicycles for short commutes between home and workplace and to stay fit by cycling every Sunday.

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana called for greater encouragement and support for sports beyond cricket, expressing hope such initiatives would inspire future Olympic and Commonwealth Games champions among the country’s youth.

The event also featured activities such as pickleball, box cricket, volleyball, tug of war, and interactive community games.