Kerala govt sanctions Rs 75 lakh for international mountain biking competition
T'puram: The state govt has sanctioned Rs 75 lakh for organizing the seventh edition of International Mountain Biking Challenge — MTB Kerala 2025 — which aims to put Kerala on the global map of mountain biking competitions.
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The date of the competition is yet to be decided.
An amateur cycling competition for Indian cyclists will also be held, and the winners will compete at MTB. The move aims at developing the state into an adventure tourism destination.
MTB Kerala, promoted by the state tourism department, will be held at Priyadarshini Tea Plantation in Mananthavady, Wayanad. Indian and foreign cycling stars will participate in the championship, a press release stated.
The 5-km track where the competition will be held is at an altitude of 3,000 feet. The championship's main attraction is the cross-country competition section, which covers terrains such as mud, rocks, and water.
Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) and Wayanad district tourism promotion council (DTPC) are organizing the championship in collaboration with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Cycling Federation of India (CFI).
"Adventure tourism is drawing much attention globally. Kerala has excellent potential to emerge as a destination for adventure sports," said tourism minister PA Mohammed Riyas. MTB Kerala has also been included in the calendar of Union Cycliste Internationale, the Switzerland-based world governing body for sports cycling.
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