Adil Teli representing Arco Cements and Saqib representing Toyota Ansari cruised to win in the Kashmir Cycling Challenge organized by Amblin Events at SKICC here on Thursday.

Adil emerged winner in the senior category while as Saqib won in Under-17 category. In the event that was flagged OFF Secretary State Sports Council Waheed Ur Rehman Parra around 300 cyclists hailing from different parts of State participated. The event saw riders from Haryana and Jammu province also taking part in it.

Junior race was held from Duck Park to SKICC while as senior race was flagged from SKIIC and finished back at staring point after turn at Duck Park foreshore.

Adil Teli of Arco cements finished first in senior category while as Yogesh of Jammu and Waheed Ahmad finished second and third.

In Under-17 category, Saqib of Toyota Ansari finished first while as Moonis representing Budgam Police finished second and Tawheed of Celestial Buds School finished third.

Secretary Tourism, J&K Farooq Ahmad Shah was chief guest on the occasion while as Director Tourism Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Secretary Sports Council Waheed Ur Rehman Parra were guest of honors.

Among the others present on the occasion were senior sports administrator Bashir Ahmad Malik, Kashmir FC Coach Hilal Rasool Parray, Director Sports Islamia College Altaf Ur Rehman, veteran footballer Nisar Hussain, Director CP Advertisers Mushtaq Bashir and Amblin Events CEO Hinan Bhat. Event was supported by Sports Council, Tourism Deptt, TCI Max, Mushtaq Group of Hotels, CP Advertisers, J&K Headlines, Red Cross, Spring Buds School, Celestial Buds School.

Speaking on the occasion Farooq Ahmad Shah said that he always try to encourage such type of activities and promote sports person.

“These are the activities that give our youth something to prepare for. The outcome of these type of events is the dominance of Narbal area in the cycling of State. I am confident that other youngsters will try hard to replicate them,” Shah said.

“To see youngsters waking up early and then coming from far off areas to just participate in the cycling event is itself an achievement. I congratulate all of you for the participation and hope that you will continue this in future as well,” he said.

Director Tourism Mahmood Ahmad Shah encouraged participants to take part in sports events and also in adventure sports activities.

“We at Tourism department keep conducting events on regular basis. We encourage young generation to take part in sports activities and have been boosting the facilities for them,” he said.

Later Farooq Ahmad Shah, Mahmood Shah and Waheed Parra distributed prizes among the winners. Apart from riders special memento was also given to Kashmir FC football club for its achievements in national football arena.

Guest