GUWAHATI: What was supposed to be a celebration of sporting spirit under the Khel Maharan 2.0 initiative turned into an embarrassing fiasco for the state government, as a cycling competition held at Sonapur near Guwahati on April 5, descended into chaos following multiple crashes caused by faulty bicycles allegedly provided by the state itself.
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The event, which brought together over 100 student cyclists from 34 districts across Assam, witnessed a disturbing turn when several participants lost control of their cycles mid-race. Eyewitnesses described how the wheels and handles of some state-supplied bicycles reportedly detached during the competition, causing young cyclists to crash into each other and tumble to the ground.
While a few sustained minor bruises, several participants required more serious medical assistance—raising significant concerns over the safety standards of the equipment provided.
The incident has sparked outrage, especially among the parents of the injured athletes. One parent voiced deep frustration: “A state-level competition should have better preparation. My son fell and got hurt as he was not allowed to use his own traditional racing cycle. If the cycles provided by the authority were inspected properly, this wouldn’t have been the outcome.”
The crux of the matter lies in the fact that the bicycles were reportedly supplied by the state government, which had assured organisers and participants of their safety and suitability for competitive use. With visible mechanical failures now on record, questions are being raised about whether due diligence and pre-race safety inspections were performed at all.
An official from the Directorate of Sports and Welfare, speaking to GPlus, downplayed the seriousness of the incident: “In a competition where there is mass participation, such kinds of mishaps do occur. There was no fault with the cycles. Even in national-level competitions, such incidents have been reported.”
Secretary to the Sports & Youth Welfare Department Kausar Jamil Hilaly blamed the accidents on the athletes' ignorance about handling the imported bicycles. "Why would we provide poor equipment," he told GPlus. He said athletes were not allowed to use their own bicycles to ensure standardisation. "Cycles were made available for practice prior to the event, and then it began, " he said.
What should have been an inspiring showcase of Assam’s emerging cycling talent has instead become a case study in poor planning and misplaced priorities. As the dust settles, the spotlight now turns to the authorities—will they accept responsibility or continue to soft-pedal the issue?
