Para cyclist Aditya Mehta & team on a Kashmir to Kanyakumari ride to promote para sports

Para cyclist Aditya Mehta and his team are currently riding in their cycles from Kashmir to Kanyakumari as part of the ‘Infinity Ride 2020’ organized by his Hyderabad-based Aditya Mehta Foundation. Apart from finding budding para sports talents, the ride also aims to raise funds for promoting para sports.

Aditya Mehta the well-known para cyclist, is on his way to break records. This youngster who is a below knee amputee claims to be India’s first para cyclist and Limca Book of Records holder too. Aditya and his team are riding from Kashmir to Kanyakumari now. They have a reason-Aditya wants to spread awareness and also scout para talents from across India in his ‘Infinity Ride 2020’ which is the brainchild of ‘Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF). A venture supported by Border Security Force (BSF), the 41 days tour will touch 35 cities.

Infinity 2020 to promote para sports

‘Infinity Ride 2020’ was flagged off from Dal Lake in Srinagar last Thursday by Rakesh Asthana, IPS, Director General of BSF. The ride which is expected to end at Tirunelveli in Kanyakumari on 29 December aims to show that nothing is impossible for para sportspersons. It also hopes to discover budding para sporting talents in India.

Covering 34 cities in 41 days, this is the sixth year of organizing it. ‘Infinity Ride 2020’ will be led by BSF jawans Harinder Singh and Gurlal Singh who are winners of Para Asian games. They will not only be taking part but also leading the team through the 3801 kms long route comprising of treacherous mountain terrains as they embark on this strenuous and challenging journey.

“I had ridden this route alone seven years back when no one thought it is possible for a person like me to come here. Seven years later when I see so many riders alongside me, I believe if one can infuse the spirit of challenging to attempt the unthinkable, everything is possible. At a time like this when the ongoing Covid pandemic has affected the mental and physical fitness of most of us, I hope ‘Infinity Ride 2020’ will bear the message of not giving up and the importance of Fit India Movement across the country especially among the para aspirants,” says Aditya Mehta, founder, AMF.

Initiatives of Aditya Mehta Foundation

Founded in 2013, AMF claims to work relentlessly to promote para sports and para sportspersons. AMF will not only nurture them, but also prepare them for global events.

Over years, they have provided over 200 beneficiaries with prosthetic limbs and customised adaptive devices. AMF has also worked with over 1000 injured soldiers and civilians to give them a new lease of life. As Mehta puts it, “Our vision is to make India a superpower in the world of para sports.” Based in Hyderabad, AMF hopes to reach out to more people in need in coming years too.

“India has no dearth of talent. My goal is to scout young talents and train them with the right training and facilities that is needed to become a competitive para athlete with world class abilities. We are hopeful that ‘Infinity Ride 2020’ will ensure the required awareness among people and we will be able get many aspirant sports persons who we can work with and make future ready”, adds Mehta.

Funds raised from ‘Infinity Ride 2020’ will be used to support para sportspersons. AMF hopes to provide counselling and help them get better at their sport or even find a sport that is suitable for them along with providing necessary equipment’s.

“Border Security Force (BSF) was the only organisation who believed in our cause from the very beginning and supported us since inception of this ride and later Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) also joined hands for this cause”, says Mehta.

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