More than 50 youths, both male and female, participated in the Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Memorial State-level Bi-cycle Competition 2018 under the theme ‘Khelo Tripura, Swasth Tripura’ in Agartala on Sunday.
The bi-cycle was organised at the Swami Vivekananda Stadium here.
The competition was organised by the State Youth Affairs and Sports Department.
The bi-cycle competition was flagged off by Tripura Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Debbarma in presence of a number of MLAs, national awardee gymnastic coach Bishweshar Nandi and senior government officials.
For men, the distance was 25 km while for women it was 15 km.
Joysree Das, a female participant who stood third in the competition for female said, “I have taken part in this bi-cycle race and stood third position. I tried hard to be first but could not. However, I am happy with my position.”
The participant said, in the future, she wants to join the Army. “Sports play a vital role in maintaining physical health,” she added.
Meanwhile, Subrata Das, who emerged champion in the competition for male, said, “With today’s win in the State-level bi-cycle competition, I have become State champion for seven times.”
Stating that he wants participate in the national competition, the champion (male) said, “To compete at the national level, I need a racing cycle which I do not have.”
“If the State Government helps me by providing a cycle, then I will be able to participate in the coming national level cycle race to be held in Haryana. I thank the Sports Department for organising this competition. I want to give a message that if we cycle for an hour daily then we can remain fit,” added Subrata Das.
“The aim of the competition was to achieve mental and physical fitness of youths by engaging them in sports and to keep them away from things like drugs and alcohol,” said Udayan Sinha, director of Youth Affair and Sports Department.
The winners were presented with trophies and certificates.