TAWANG, 18 Nov: Ronel Kundrakpam of Manipur won the first positions in the boys’ XCO (mass start race) events of the 6th MTB Tawang Challenge here on Saturday.
Shiven and Ashis Sherpa, both from Himachal Pradesh, won the second and the third position, respectively.
In the girls’ category of the XCO event, Phyrnai Kyndait of Meghalaya won the first position, while Urbasin Haomom of Manipur and Lawankordor Swer of Meghalaya finished second and third, respectively.
Dip Sagar Tamang of Nepal, Thotmachan Awangshi of Manipur and Nima Sherpa of Nepal won the first, second, and third position, respectively, in the
junior boys’ time trial event.
Earlier, the 6th edition of the event was flagged off by MLA Mutchu Mithi along with Tawang DC Kangi Darang and Cycling Federation of India secretary-general Maninder Pal Singh from here on Saturday.
Speaking to media persons, Mithi, who is also the president of the Arunachal Cycling Association, said that the state has huge potential in cycling.
“Such national events not only promote tourism but also demonstrate the quality of tracks we have for national and international events,” he said.
“I have also discussed the matter with the chief minister and he is very positive about this,” Mithi said.
The two-day event was organised by the youth affairs directorate, in collaboration with the Arunachal Cycling Association and the Cycling Federation of India, organising chairman Taka Tamut informed.
“MTB Tawang is a national event, but riders from countries like Nepal are also participating in it,” he said.
A total of 32 riders are participating in the event.
“Arunachal has great potential in adventure sports like cycling, and it is very encouraging that people here love cycling events. Even the state government is supporting the sport,” the CFI secretary-general said, and gave assurance that the CFI would provide support to promote cycling as a sport in Arunachal.
Youth Affairs Director Ramesh Linggi, ACA general secretary Tadar Gunu, and ACA vice president Wangdi Khirmey also attended the inaugural programme.
