Kohima, August 14: Kevilebo Zhotso emerged as champion of the 1st Nagaland Cross Country Cycle Race in men’s category and Vikho in the women’s category, on Saturday.
The race was flagged off at BSNL Junction, Kohima and culminated at Kohima Science College Ground. It saw keen participation of 39 cyclists from Phek, Mokokchung, Peren, Dimapur and Kohima. There were 8 female participants.
Coming in second place was Ankit Kumar and Vesuto Naroh bagged the third place in the men’s category. In the women’s category, Vunthunglo Ovung secured the second position and Imtilella claimed the third position.
Speaking at the event, representative of Nagaland Mountain Biking Association (MTB), Atoba Longkumer urged to the cyclists to keep the core values of the cycling community. He talked about how everyone can be an asset to the cycling community in various capacities such as vlogging, content creation and networking which in turn will add tangible values to the existing cycling community.
In a short speech from one of the female participants, Hinotoli stressed on the importance of the moment for the cycling community in Nagaland, to pave the way for inclusivity and sustainability. She also brought up the issue of eve teasing which the female cyclists experience every day. “Even this morning as we were cycling up towards Kohima Science College, men, including security personnel stationed along the road, passed comments which can be categorised as eve teasing,” he said.
This has to change as female cyclists don’t feel safe riding the streets especially during the night, she added.
(Page News Service)
