New Delhi, 05 March (H.S.):

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the logo for the Cycling League of India (CLI) on Thursday, heralding India's hosting of the world's inaugural professional franchise-based road cycling league as a transformative milestone for the sport domestically.

Describing the CLI as a pivotal moment, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized its role beyond mere races: We're crafting a professional ecosystem to nurture talent, captivate global audiences, and align with our vision of a fit, vibrant India. He credited recent momentum from events like the Pune Grand Tour, Ahmedabad league races, and weekly Sunday on Cycle initiatives for propelling cycling's rise.

The league will feature eight dynamic franchises representing cities or regions, each with 10 cyclists—including two international riders for expertise, two juniors to foster emerging Indian talent, and formats ensuring sustainability.

Competitions unfold in three structured phases culminating in a grand finale, incorporating criterium races, team time trials, and mass-start events designed for strategic depth and spectator thrill.New Horizon Alliance Pvt Ltd CEO Ravneet Gill underscored the long-term vision: With this mix of franchises, global and budding talent, plus fair, exciting formats, CLI will leave a lasting legacy—bolstering India's cycling ecosystem, amplifying athlete opportunities, elevating our global sports presence, and inspiring the next generation.

This fits India's burgeoning professional leagues across sports, with further expansion anticipated in 2026 to fortify infrastructure and competitiveness.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar