The cycling competitions will mark the conclusion of the Punjab Sports Festival 2012 that would end in a colourful closing ceremony at Hazori Bagh on the evening of March 17.
Addressing a press conference here at the Sports Board Punjab academy hall, Rana Mashood, deputy speaker Punjab Assembly said that the day will start with an ordinary cycle race of 22 kilometres and will be followed by a 66-km professional cycle race while there will be a separate race for the female cyclists. Usman Anwar, director general sports Punjab was also present on the occasion to highlight the salient features of the final day and the closing ceremony.
Rana Mashood informed that around 2500 persons have registered for the races and more than 300 females has shown their desire to paddle off in the last event of the festival.
DG sports informed that he had a detailed meeting with all the stakeholders to check the preparations and foolproof security systems at cycle race venue and closing ceremony going to be held at Hazoori Park.
Rana Mashood chaired the meeting while Commissioner Jawad Rafique Malik, DCO Rahat Cheema, Secretary Sports Allah Bakhsh and DG Sports Usman Anwar finalized the arrangements.
Rana Mashod said that the safety, security and first aid, watering points were reassured during the meeting. “It has been decided that the over heads should be used for the public and media to view and cover the races. He appreciated the positive response of the media towards the Punjab Sports Festival 2012 to make it popularise in the world.
“There will be two cycling events, ordinary cycling of 22 KM and professional cycling of 66 KM both for male and female separately”, he said.
He showed his satisfaction and pleasure over the registered cyclists above 2500 males while 300 females for both cycling events and still the booking is going on.
He continued: “The winners of the finals will be given the cash prizes by Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif.”
He added: “A competition for the winners of all finals will be held later on to hunt the talent for international level events”. He further informed that the winner of the professional race will be given Rs 200,000, Rs 150,000 and Rs 100,000 while the ordinary race winners will be awarded Rs 50,000, Rs 35,000 and Rs 30,000 for the first three position winners while some other prizes will be given to top cyclists other than the winners.
