Cycle polo, rally mark Day 5 of heritage festival

Tribune News Service 
Patiala, February 23 

A Cycle Polo Championship was organised at the Polo Ground on the fifth day of the heritage festival here on Saturday. An exciting match between the teams of Qila Mubarak and Bahadurgarh ended in a draw with 4-4 points. 

An exhibition match was also played between Patiala Chargers and Patiala Raiders. Patiala Chargers defeated their opponent by 10-8.  Speaking on the occasion, former union minister Preneet Kaur said, “The cycle polo has been a legendary game all over the world since 1940. Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, has organised the Patiala Heritage Festival to encourage youth to play sports.” 

Preneet Kaur honoured players of the four teams, which participated in the cycle polo match. The championship trophy was presented to Qila Mubarak and Bahadurgarh teams jointly.

 A large number of children, cycle enthusiasts and professionals took part in the second heritage cycle rally organised as part of the heritage festival in the morning. 

The rally was flagged off from the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports by Mayor Sanjeev Shama Bittu. The rally began at 7.30 am and passed through Modi College, Fountain Chowk, Sherawalan Gate, Baradari Garden, Leela Bhawan, 21 No. Flyover, Dukhniwaran Gurdwara, Passi Road, Bhupinder Road and Children Memorial Chowk before culminating at Baradari Gardens. The rally was organised in association with two cycling groups Bikers World and Tour de Patiala.

“The cycle rally is a good initiative of the administration as it will promote cycling among city residents,” said Yuvraj Sharma, a cycling enthusiast.

While encouraging residents to use bicycles Bittu said, “Cycling is good for health, makes environment pollution free and reduces traffic congestion. Cyclists should bring their hobby to city residents to motivate them to opt cycling.”