With a vision to encourage a healthy lifestyle, including regular workouts, Xaxti Riders have now decided to reach out to the special children in Goa. The group has organised a unique cycling competition which will be governed by the rules of the Special Olympics.
Xaxti Riders, a pro-cycling group from Salcete, has come forward as a beacon of inclusivity for the special children in Goa. The group is collaborating with other associations and institutes to organise this Special Olympics Cycling Time Trial on Saturday morning at the Carmel College Ground, Nuvem. The organisers’ sole purpose behind this event is to motivate special children to participate in cycling.
Sameer Nadkarni, the president of the Xaxti Riders cycling group, informed us that Xaxti Riders was formed to motivate people to take up cycling for healthy living.
"This is a sport which boosts one's immunity, builds endurance and helps in mental and physical well-being," he said.
He further said that Xaxti Riders have taken cycling to all areas of Goa along with the other cycling groups. Xaxti Riders wanted to take this sport to the special children of Goa. In Goa, there may not be any specific sports opportunities for special children, but at the national level, there are the Special Olympics and National Games.
Nadkarni said, “Xaxti Riders wants to provide an opportunity to these Goan special children to participate in the cycling sport at state-level competitions, and the best ones could represent Goa at the national level.
Around 15 schools from all over Goa have registered for this event, and about 120 special children have registered for this event.
Giving more details about this event, Nadkarni informed that the event has been organised by the Xaxti Riders in collaboration with the Special Olympics Bharat-Goa and Gujarati Samaj Educational Trust, Special School. This event is supported by the Verna Industries Association, Carmel College of Arts, Science and Commerce for Women and Pro Pedalerz Cycling Club-Margao.
When questioned about the equipment needed for the event, Nadkarni said that some of the cycles will be provided by the organisers and some will be brought by the schools and the participants. Breakfast, lunch, etc will be provided by the organisers, and participation will be free of cost.
“Our main objective will be to motivate these special children to participate in this event. There is a lot of excitement among the participants as well as among the organisers at present with regards to this event. This event is happening for the first time in Goa,” said Nadkarni.
There will be schools and participants coming from Pernem, Bicholim, Sattari, Panjim, Salcete, Canacona, Quepem, etc. This is an all-Goa event.
The event will be held on March 25, Saturday, at 9.15 am, at the Carmel College Ground in Nuvem. It will be flagged off by Ajit Roy (IAS) Secretary Sports and Asvin Chandru (IAS) South Goa Collector will be the guest of honour.