India to get its first official MTB and BMX training ground

The Sports Ministry of India is finally waking up to promote Motocross and BMX riding in India. In a recent development, the SAI National Centre of Excellence for Mountain Terrain Biking and Bicycle Motocross in association with the Himachal Government is setting up India’s first-ever BMX and MTB training ground.

The MTB and BMX training ground is being set up in Shimla to train and facilitate motocross cycling enthusiasts and train them for the upcoming Olympics. 

Sports Authority of India said, “This centre, one of the best high altitude training facilities in the world, at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, will have world-class infrastructure, a state-of-art sports science high performance centre, Olympic-level track and coaches of international repute, where India’s best cyclists and local sporting talent can train.” 

The NCOE will have 1 XCO Olympic level track, 1 training track with specialized features, 1 BMX track, 1 state-of-the-art indoor gymnasium, an indoor setup with virtual trainers, hostel facilities for 100 athletes, coaches and support staff. Along with state of the art facilities, NCOE is set to have the capacity to train around 200 cycling enthusiasts for Olympic-level preparations.

Given the favourable geographical conditions and the hype of adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh, the NCOE will be one of the best in altitude setting at 2000 metres above sea level. 

The collaboration between the Government of India and Himachal Pradesh will open up new avenues for motocross enthusiasts. Although there is a long way when India starts recognising mainstream motocross and motorsports in India.