Prayagraj: With the aim of giving a new direction to India’s sports culture and spreading the message of fitness to the masses, an 800-km long national cycling expedition called ‘Pedal for Pride: A Tribute to India’s Greatest Sports Legend’ was launched today from Major Dhyanchand Chowk in Prayagraj. This event is a part of the Major Dhyanchand National Sports Festival 2025, which is organized by the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) in collaboration with FIT India Movement, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Brahmakumaris. The aim of this historic yatra is to honour the immortal legacy of Hockey Magician Major Dhyan Chand ji and to connect the youth of the country with sports, discipline, fitness and national unity. The message of campaigns like #KhelegaBharat #JitegaBharat and #KhelonKeMaidanoSeViksitBharatKiNeev is being conveyed to the masses through this yatra.

Chief Guest Shri Girish Chandra Yadav, Minister of State for Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Uttar Pradesh, in his motivational address said that “This is not just a cycling journey, but a strong campaign towards national consciousness, sports culture and building a healthy India. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji wish that people should cycle, walk, stay away from obesity and live a healthy life every day. Cycling is not only a means of fitness but also ‘cycling is the solution to pollution’.”

Special guest Badalpur MLA Shri Ramesh Chandra Mishra called upon the youth to exercise for at least 1 hour daily, ride a bicycle, walk and control their eating habits. Give prominence to Indian food in the diet and avoid harmful foods like junk food. He said that Pedal for Pride is not just a journey but a campaign to inspire the youth towards fitness, brotherhood and positivity.

PEFI National Secretary General Dr. Piyush Jain said that “Major Dhyanchand National Sports Festival is being celebrated at more than 500 places this year. This cycling expedition is a celebration of Dhyanchand ji’s legacy and will inspire the youth to join sports. The aim is to establish this initiative as a grand National Sports Festival in the coming years.” Team leader Brigadier (Dr.) Vikram Singh (Retd.) also explained the physical, mental and social benefits of cycling in detail while talking to journalists. He was accompanied by prominent cyclists Yogendra Singh, Madan Lal, Jagbir Singh, Jai Prakash etc. The route of this historic 8-day journey has been decided through Prayagraj-Fatehpur-Kanpur-Orai-Jhansi-Gwalior-Mathura, which will conclude on 31 August 2025 at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium in Delhi. During the journey, sports rallies in schools and colleges, dialogue with youth, fitness workshops and special programs with NCC cadets and army units will be organized.

Players from Bhanu Pratap Singh Sports Academy, Northern Football Academy and Hockey Academy also participated on the occasion. Program coordinator and district secretary of PEFI Amit Kumar Singh said that this event will give new energy to the sports culture of the country by attracting youth towards sports and fitness. A large number of senior administrative officials and sports lovers including Rochak Darbari Mithilesh Singh, Ujjwal Sharma, Dr. Ram Krishna Dwivedi, Indranil Ghosh, Alok Kumar, Ankur Dwivedi were present at the program. “Pedal for Pride” will prove to be a historic milestone in taking the legacy of Major Dhyan Chand ji to the masses and strengthening the foundation of a developed India through sports fields.