Hong Kong

The Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), returns this year on 30 November (Sunday) as the city’s largest annual cycling event. This year, it introduces exciting new routes for selected rides and enhanced experiences to heighten its appeal. Registrations opened on 13th September and will close on the 20th of September, with 6,000 spots available for local, Mainland, and overseas cyclists.

The Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon will be held on 30 November. Registration is now open for 6,000 cyclists across multiple race categories

HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam said, “Hong Kong has successfully hosted a series of major international sports events in recent years, reinforcing the city’s growing presence on the global sports stage. The Hong Kong Cyclothon is a true highlight of our sporting calendar, offering locals and visitors an exceptional competitive cycling experience and showcasing the city’s ability to blend sport with tourism. This year’s event continues to place a strong emphasis on mass participation by hosting the most popular 50km ride, allowing cyclists to ride through ‘four tunnels, three bridges. There is also the 32km ride which covers ‘two tunnels, two bridges’ and includes the inaugural World University Trophy, welcoming cyclists from universities in Hong Kong, Mainland and overseas, including students from some of the top 100 global institutions. The City Cycling Challenge around Greater Bay Area (Hong Kong) – Sun Hung Kai Properties Men’s and Women’s Open will feature new, more demanding routes to elevate the excitement of the competition. Looking ahead, the HKTB aims to expand the Hong Kong Cyclothon across the Greater Bay Area and work in partnership with neighboring destinations to build a world-class tourism brand for the region.”

The Family Fun Ride and CEO Charity and Celebrity Ride will be held together this year along a new waterfront route in the West Kowloon Cultural District for the first time. The site will feature dedicated cheering zones for spectators to voice their support for the cyclists. The Family Fun Ride will include interactive parent-child tasks, making it an ideal location for families to spend quality weekend time together. Both rides are charity-focused with 100% of registration fees to be donated to The Community Chest of Hong Kong to support good causes and people in need, with additional contributions from Sun Hung Kai Properties.

This year’s non-competitive rides include the 50km “four tunnels, three bridges” route (Cheung Ching, Nam Wan, Eagle’s Nest, Sha Tin Heights Tunnels; Tsing Ma, Ting Kau, Stonecutters Bridges) and the 32km “two tunnels, two bridges” route (Cheung Ching, Nam Wan Tunnels; Ting Kau, Stonecutters Bridges). A total of 6,000 spots are open to local, Mainland, and overseas cyclists to test their fitness on major roads against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s iconic urban scenery. The 32km ride will also debut the World University Trophy, bringing together university cyclists from Hong Kong, Mainland, and abroad in a challenge that blends sport, tourism, and cultural exchange

New Routes for City Cycling Challenge around Greater Bay Area (Hong Kong) – Sun Hung Kai Properties Men’s and Women’s Open

This year’s City Cycling Challenge, Sun Hung Kai Properties Men’s and Women’s Open breaks from tradition with an extended single-lap format that goes beyond Tsim Sha Tsui, testing riders with varied terrain. The men’s 30km route covers four districts on a “two tunnels, two bridges” course (Cheung Ching Tunnel, Ting Kau Bridge, Nam Wan Tunnel, Stonecutters Bridge), with dramatic views from Tsing Ma Bridge and a demanding mix of strategy, strength, and stamina. The women’s 8km route runs along the West Kowloon Highway from Salisbury Road, passing landmarks such as the Clock Tower, Hong Kong Space Museum, ICC, Xiqu Centre, and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, offering a unique blend of competitive excitement and Hong Kong’s cityscape.

Celebration of Music, Sport and Charity
The sporting extravaganza extends to the West Kowloon Cultural District’s Art Park where the HKTB will present an action-packed Cyclothon Carnival. From morning to dusk, the carnival will offer a dynamic mix of music and sports performances. Visitors can enjoy a variety of food stalls , sports gear markets, interactive emerging sports experiences, face painting and balloon art workshops, and other enjoyable activities. The program will give locals and visitors of all ages and interests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the spirit of the Hong Kong Cyclothon. Races will be livestreamed on a giant screen to ensure carnival-goers do not miss a second of the action.

Performance Highlights
The event will also feature a full day of performances and activities. Energizing Bike & Brew (6:30am–11:00am) includes a star cyclist sharing session, rhythmic gymnastics, and bicycle acrobatics shows. Vibrant Midday Motion (11:00am–3:00pm) brings cheerleading, breakdance, Zumba, and rope skipping performances. To close the day, Relaxing Sunset Wind Down (3:00pm–6:00pm) features the Hong Kong A Cappella Academy and street band The Flame.

Registration Opens Tomorrow (13 September)

Cyclists can register on the event website (www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/what-s- new/events/cyclothon.html) . All new joiners of the 50km ride and 32km ride must attend and pass a cycling technique assessment except for those who have completed in the Hong Kong Cyclothon from 2022 to 2024 or who hold qualifications from the Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China.

About Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked with marketing and promoting Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide and enhancing visitors’ experience once they arrive. These include making recommendations to the Government and other relevant bodies on the range and quality of visitor facilities.

 The HKTB’s missions are to maximise the social and economic contribution made by tourism to the community of Hong Kong and to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a unique, world-class, and most desired destination.

Universal Sompo General Insurance is pleased to announce its partnership with Dabang Delhi K.C., one of the premier Pro Kabaddi League team in India. Through this initiative, Universal Sompo intends to promote the sport of Kabaddi – a game deeply rooted in India’s cultural ethos and recognised as one of the nation’s proud sporting traditions and to raise more awareness surrounding how insurance can protect lives.

Universal Sompo General Insurance proud to partner with Dabang Delhi KC. We are joining forces to celebrate India’s beloved sport Kabaddi 

Kabaddi is an agile, endurance-based, and strategic sport. Every raid requires cautious risk-taking, anticipation of the opposing move, and quick decision-making that secures the team’s victory. Likewise, insurance enables individuals to evaluate risks, control uncertainties, and make smart decisions that secure their future. The same philosophical premise of caution and foresight inspires Universal Sompo’s alliance with Dabang Delhi, making an apt connection between the game on the mat and readiness in life.

Dabang Delhi has performed a remarkable act this season, securing Six victories with captain Ashu Malik at the helm. The team is an inspiration to young sportsmen all over the country and stands for the values of self-discipline, perseverance, and unity. By supporting Kabaddi, Universal Sompo also aims to increase the popularity of the sport further among youth, strengthening its position as a symbol of resilience, discipline, and collective spirit.

Prashant Mishra, CEO of Dabang Delhi said, “It is an absolute pleasure to welcome Universal Sompo as our Suraksha Partner. Kabaddi is a sport based on bravery and strength, and having a partner who believes in protecting and empowering athletes is simply wonderful. Together, we are committed to empowering the sporting fraternity to feel secure, on and off the field.”

Sharad Mathur, MD & CEO, Universal Sompo General Insurance said, “Kabaddi is not just a game – it symbolises India’s culture of courage, teamwork, and discipline. Through our association with Dabang Delhi, we are doubling down on our commitment to develop a rich sports culture in India and creating further awareness about protecting and financially securing athletes and their families.” 

The partnership will be accomplished through awareness campaigns, educational and community programs to inspire young talent and raise awareness of the need for safety in sports. Together, both organizations are working towards building a healthier, financially literate, and resilient sporting ecosystem in India.

About Universal Sompo General Insurance

Universal Sompo is a joint venture of Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Karnataka Bank, Dabur Investments, and a global insurer SOMPO. The company is headquartered in Mumbai and has 142 offices nationwide, with representation through its digitally enabled employees across over 300 locations. It has a strong distribution network of agents, point of sales salespersons, bank branches, automobile dealers, brokers, common service centres, and digital platforms/ e-commerce players. The company offers 181 IRDAI-approved products, and 2049 add-on covers, ranging from motor, accident & health, home insurance, shopkeepers’ packages, crop and other non-life packages for SMEs, fire, marine, engineering, employee benefits, project insurance, liability, and other special products for Corporates. Microinsurance covers the rural segment.

• The Cycling Federation of India (CFI) as the technical partner, oversaw event guidelines, rules, and regulatory compliance.

• The theme was #ChangeYourGear which focuses on the transformative power of cycling and its positive impact on individual well-being

• The winning prize purse of Rs 33.6 lakhs is the highest for any cycling race in India

HCL Group, a leading global conglomerate, successfully concluded the third edition of the HCL Cyclothon Chennai 2025 today, with an impressive turnout of over 2,000 participants. The event organized in association with the Government of Tamil Nadu and under the aegis of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), celebrated cycling enthusiasts from all walks of life and saw professional and amateur cyclists compete across various categories for a total prize pool of Rs 33.6 lakhs, the highest in any cycling race in India. The event was graced by Dr Atulya Misra, IAS, Chief Secretary, Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu as Chief Guest and Mr. Meghanatha Reddy IAS, Member Secretary of Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) as Guest of Honor.

More than 2,000 Cyclists pedal for Rs. 33.6 Lakhs at the 3rd edition of HCL Cyclothon Chennai

The Professional Elite Race (50 km) saw intense competition, with Dilawar from RSPB, Emil Josep from Tamil Nadu, Phiramoth from Tamil Nadu, in the male and Swasti Singh from Odisha, Himanshi Singh from Haryana, Chayanika Gogoi from RSPB, in the female category claiming the top spot to become winner, runner-up and second runner-up respectively.

Winners in the other categories are as follow:

Speaking at the event, Dr Atulya Misra, said, “Under the leadership of our Honorable Deputy Chief Minister, who is himself a cycling enthusiast, cycling is growing as one of the major sports in Tamil Nadu. Cyclists from the state are bringing laurels in national and international tournaments. I thank HCL and the Cycling Federation of India for their efforts in promoting cycling, and with new infrastructure like a velodrome and BMX facility coming up, Tamil Nadu is set to play an even bigger role in India’s cycling journey.”

Rajat Chandolia, AVP & Head of Brand Strategy from HCL Group said, “The HCL Cyclothon has now completed seven editions, including three in Chennai, and it is heartening to see the cycling community grow to over 14,000 riders across India. The turnout of more than 2,000 participants this year reflects not only the rising competitiveness of the event but also the growing enthusiasm for cycling as a movement for healthier living and a greener tomorrow. With each edition, our focus remains on making the HCL Cyclothon more inclusive, impactful, and community-driven.”

Maninder Singh, Secretary General, Cycling Federation of India (CFI), added, “The third edition of the HCL Cyclothon has been a proud moment for Indian cycling. The strong participation and the quality competition reflect the sport’s growing popularity nationwide. HCL’s continued commitment is helping us build a stronger cycling culture, create opportunities for emerging talent, and inspire more people to take up cycling for fitness and sustainability.”

Santhosh Kumar M., Runner-up in the Amateur Category (24 km Road), who was also a winner in the HCL Cyclothon Chennai 2024 and HCL Cyclothon Hyderabad 2024, shared, “Winning again at the HCL Cyclothon in Chennai is a very special. Coming from Tenkasi, I have faced many challenges, but cycling has taught me that persistence always pays off. My dream now is to represent India at the national and international level, and I hope my journey inspires more young people from villages like mine to take up cycling.”

The race started and finished at Mayajaal Multiplex on the ECR Road, offering both professional cyclists and amateurs a competitive yet rewarding challenge.  

About HCL Group

Founded in 1976 as one of India’s original IT garage start-ups, HCL Group is a pioneer of modern computing with many firsts to its credit, including the introduction of the 8-bit microprocessor-based computer in 1978 well before its global peers. Today, the HCL Group has a presence across varied sectors that include technology, healthcare and talent management solutions and comprises three companies – HCL Infosystems, HCLTech and HCL Healthcare. The enterprise generates annual revenues of over US$14 billion with 223,000 employees operating across 60 countries.

For further information, visit www.hcl.com.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA), reigning FIFA World Cup Champions, has appointed Druid Sport as its exclusive commercial representative in the Indian subcontinent.

Druid Sport Appointed as Exclusive Commercial Representative of the Argentine Football Association in the Indian Subcontinent

This landmark agreement will see Druid Sport manage and sell regional sponsorship rights for the Argentina National Teams, giving businesses across the Indian subcontinent direct access to one of football’s most iconic teams and its legendary players. With established partnerships in India already, including brands such as Amul and Kingfisher, the commercial potential is clear. The period leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 offers a powerful platform for new partners to activate campaigns, engage fans, and align with the reigning World Champions.

This collaboration comes as Argentina prepare to visit Kerala this November for a special international friendly, in the lead up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, which is expected to be global superstar Lionel Messi’s last World Cup appearance. The AFA has one of the largest and most passionate followings in the region. From the extraordinary welcome Diego Maradona received on his visit to India, to the overwhelming support for Lionel Messi and the National Team during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, millions of fans across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and beyond have embraced Argentina as their own. With more than 250 million fans in India alone, the subcontinent has become one of the largest and most passionate Argentinian fan bases outside South America.

Druid Sport is a boutique international sports marketing agency with a track record of delivering cross-market partnerships for major sports properties. Already exclusively representing AFA in China, Druid Sport now manages AFA’s rights in two of the world’s most dynamic regions – China and the Indian subcontinent, together representing nearly half of the global population. As part of its long-term commitment to this market, Druid Sport is opening a new office in India to serve regional partners, seed new initiatives and commercial programmes and scale operations within this rapidly growing sports ecosystem.

Diarmuid Crowley, Chief Executive Officer, Druid Sport, said, “We are honoured to represent the FIFA World Cup Champions in one of the most passionate football regions in the world. Our goal is to bring Argentina closer to the millions of fans across the Indian subcontinent and to create meaningful partnerships between AFA and leading regional brands. With our presence now spanning both China and India, we are uniquely positioned to connect the Argentina National Team with audiences that together make up almost half the world’s population.”

Claudio Tapia, President of the Argentine Football Association, commented, “We know the passion that South Asian fans have for our team, and we are excited to strengthen this connection through our new partnership with Druid Sport. Its proven expertise in Asia will help us expand our commercial presence and deliver unforgettable experiences for our fans and partners in the region. Looking beyond this year, we feel confident these new associations will build lasting relationships with key business partners, inspiring even greater enthusiasm to play and watch this beautiful game for generations to come.”

For the first time in history, India’s flag was raised at the World Master’s Orienteering Championship (WMOC), as Bengaluru’s Sayeesha Sridhara Kirani represented the nation at the prestigious event held in Girona, Spain. The championship was organized by the Catalan Orienteering Federation (FCOC) and sanctioned by the International Orienteering Federation (IOF), Sweden.

Sayeesha Sridhara Kirani

Competing among over 3,000 athletes from 50 countries, Sayeesha created a landmark moment as the only and first Indian athlete ever to participate in this century-old sport’s world master’s championship. Orienteering, also known as the “Thinking Sport,” tests both the body and the mind.

About Orienteering – A Global “Thinking Sport”
Originating in Sweden more than 100 years ago, Orienteering combines speed, stamina, and sharp decision-making skills. Athletes navigate through unknown terrain using only a specialized map and compass, racing across forests, cities, mountains, or even water and snow. The sport features multiple disciplines – Foot-O (Sprint & Forest), MTB-O, Kayak-O, and Ski-O – with age categories ranging from under-10 to 100 years.

Globally recognized for developing cognitive skills, leadership, and decision-making, Orienteering is part of the World Games and is gearing up for its entry into the Olympics.

Sayeesh’s Journey – Inspiring the Next Generation
“Standing at the start line in Spain as the only Indian gave me goosebumps,” said Sayeesha Sridhara Kirani. “This journey is bigger than me—it’s about writing India’s story in Orienteering. I believe that with the right ecosystem, we can nurture talent and create opportunities for Indian athletes to make their mark on the global stage.”

Under his leadership, NthAdventure Orienteering Club has been building the sport from the ground up – conducting training, workshops, races, and awareness programs. In 2024, the club clinched one Gold and two Silver medals at the Indonesia Orienteering Championship and represented India at the Asian Orienteering Championship in Thailand and Singapore.

The Road Ahead – Building an Indian Orienteering Ecosystem
“NthAdventure has been working relentlessly to bring Orienteering to India – not just as a sport, but as a tool for youth development, adventure tourism, and life-skills training,” said Ajita Madan, Founder of NthAdventure. “Sayeesh’s achievement is proof that India holds immense untapped potential in Orienteering. Our mission now is to build athletes for upcoming Asian and World Championships, host internationally recognized events in India, and prepare for the World Games 2029. With the right support from government and other stakeholders, India has the opportunity to emerge as a serious global contender.”

NthAdventure is now training Indian athletes for the upcoming Indonesian Orienteering Championship and Abu Dhabi Open Masters Games – Orienteering, alongside the 4th Edition of Namma Adventure Race in Karnataka. The organization invites brands, communities, and partners who share the vision of empowering youth through adventure and sports to join hands and support this growing movement.

Call to Action
Orienteering in India is still at a nascent stage, but the passion and potential are undeniable. NthAdventure invites schools, educational institutions, corporates, government bodies, private clubs, and sports enthusiasts to come together in shaping India’s Orienteering journey.

Connect with NthAdventure: www.nthadventure.com.