Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Wednesday ceremonially flagged off the second edition of the Dalmia MTB Arunachal Hornbill flight international cycling event here and called upon the participants to enjoy and explore the enchanting beauty of the state during the event.
The event will begin Thursday from Itanagar and would culminate at Mechuka in West Siang district on November 22.
"Life of adventurist is beyond normal life. Go and conquer ... This is what Arunachal is going to offer as the state has its own unique beauty," the Union Minister of State for Home said.
Rijiju informed that Bollywood star Salman Khan would attend the flag-in ceremony of the event at Mechuka on November 22. He further said that Khan had already donated an amount of Rs 22 lakh.
"We have to identify certain areas which will be hallmark in promoting tourism for the people of the state. Adventure tourism can be promoted through this kind of cycling event to make the state a future destination," he said.
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The event would be held in seven stages covering a distance of 650 km.
About hundred bikers from 10 countries including USA, Portugal, Canada, Germany, UK, Nepal and Bhutan are participating in the event with a prize money worth 22.55 lakh.
"The cyclists will cover eight districts and will make night halt at Ziro, Raga, Daporijo, Basar, Kamba and Yapik before culminating it at Mechuka," MTB Director Rajesh Thakur informed.
MTB Arunachal president Passang Dorjee Sona, who is also the MLA of Mechukha informed that the event would boost the economic activities of the area and the organisers are planning to make it a big event like the Tour De France to promote Arunachal as a tourist destinations of the country through sports.
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