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File image of the BMX event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. (Screengrab via Olympics YouTube)
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are soon to get facilities for BMX Cycling, which UCI Director General Amina Lanaya called the “entry point” for cycling for the youth, after Pune successfully delivered the Pune Grand Tour 2.2 road event.
The Sports Authority of India, is also expected to get kitted out with a BMX track, a cycling event popular amongst the youth.
“Two states Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu and the Sports Authority have shown interest in setting up BMX tracks so UCI is coming forward to help them build those and with technical expertise,” sais Cycling Federation of India secretary Maninder Pal Singh.
UCI official Lanaya said UCI had ambitious plans to tap into the interest that India and Pune have shown in the sport, with 15 lakh showing up to cheer for the Pune Grand Tour.
While India doesn’t have a pro team of note in road races,, the country has tasted some success at junior level in track with Manipur cyclists showing proficiency.
The road racing teams are drawn from all over the country, but the two states and the federal government body have expressed interest in the BMX discipline which taps into the youth proclivity for risk-taking and adventure. Vervy and Insta-friendly, BMX cyclists tend to start out with park stunts, and display flair. UCI is keen to tap into the geeky&groovy cycling youth.
Shivani Naik is a senior sports journalist and Assistant Editor at The Indian Express. She is widely considered one of the leading voices in Indian Olympic sports journalism, particularly known for her deep expertise in badminton, wrestling, and basketball. Professional Profile Role: Assistant Editor and Columnist at The Indian Express. Specialization: While she covers a variety of sports, she is the primary authority on badminton for the publication. She also writes extensively about tennis, track and field, wrestling, and gymnastics. Writing Style: Her work is characterized by "technical storytelling"—breaking down the biomechanics, tactics, and psychological grit of athletes. She often provides "long reads" that explore the personal journeys of athletes beyond the podium. Key Topics & Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Shivani Naik’s recent articles (as of December 2025) focus on the evolving landscape of Indian sports as athletes prepare for the 2026 Asian Games and beyond: Indian Badminton's "Hulks": She has recently written about a new generation of Indian shuttlers characterized by power and physicality, such as Ayush Shetty and Sathish Karunakaran, marking a shift from the traditionally finesse-based Indian style. PV Sindhu’s Resurgence: A significant portion of her late-2025 work tracks PV Sindhu’s tactical shifts under new coaching, focusing on her "sparkle" and technical tweaks to break out of career slumps. The "Group of Death": In December 2025, she provided detailed tactical previews for Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty’s campaign in the BWF World Tour Finals. Tactical Deep Dives: She frequently explores technical trends, such as the rise of "backhand deception" in modern badminton and the importance of court drift management in international arenas. Legacy and History: She often revisits the careers of legends like Saina Nehwal and Syed Modi, providing historical context to current Indian successes. Notable Recent Articles BWF World Tour Finals: Satwik-Chirag have it all to do to get through proverbial Group of Death. (Dec 2025) The age of Hulks in Indian badminton is here. (Dec 2025) Treadmill, Yoganidra and building endurance: The themes that defined the resurgence of Gayatri and Treesa. (Dec 2025) Ayush Shetty beats Kodai Naraoka: Will 20-year-old be the headline act in 2026? (Nov 2025) Modern Cinderella tale – featuring An Se-young and a shoe that fits snugly. (Nov 2025) Other Sports Interests Beyond the court, Shivani is a passionate follower of South African cricket, sometimes writing emotional columns about her irrational support for the Proteas, which started because of love for Graeme Smith's dour and doughty Test playing style despite being a left-hander, and sustained over curiosity over their heartbreaking habit of losing ICC knockouts. You can follow her detailed analysis and columns on her official Indian Express profile page. ... Read More
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