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AboutOdisha Cycling Association
In January 1962, cyclist Sri Chandra Sekhar Jena from Rambha, Ganjam, traveled to Cuttack, Odisha by bicycle to meet with the General Secretary, Sri Bhairab Chandra Mohanty. He requested the inclusion of Cycling in the Odisha Olympics. A meeting was then held under the leadership of sports organizer and writer Sri Rama Prasad Mohanty to consider adding Cycling to the Odisha Olympic sports lineup.
In November 1962, a 20-kilometer cycling race was held at Chahata, Cuttack, organized by the Odisha Olympic Association. Twenty cyclists from Cuttack and Rourkela participated. Among the participants, Sri Chandra Sekhar Jena, Sri Jibanananda Sarangi from Rourkela, and Sri Soumendra Raja Singh from Cuttack were honoured.
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In January 1962, cyclist Sri Chandra Sekhar Jena from Rambha, Ganjam, traveled to Cuttack, Odisha by bicycle to meet with the General Secretary, Sri Bhairab Chandra Mohanty. He requested the inclusion of Cycling in the Odisha Olympics. A meeting was then held under the leadership of sports organizer and writer Sri Rama Prasad Mohanty to consider adding Cycling to the Odisha Olympic sports lineup.
In November 1962, a 20-kilometer cycling race was held at Chahata, Cuttack, organized by the Odisha Olympic Association. Twenty cyclists from Cuttack and Rourkela participated. Among the participants, Sri Chandra Sekhar Jena, Sri Jibanananda Sarangi from Rourkela, and Sri Soumendra Raja Singh from Cuttack were honoured.
In 1963, under the leadership of Sri Rama Prasad Mohanty, these three winning cyclists were given the opportunity to compete in the Sudhir Sen Cycling Championship, organized by the West Bengal Cycling Association, where they were recognized. During this time, Sri Rama Prasad Mohanty and Sri Raj Kumar Meher, Assistant Secretary of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), discussed the affiliation of Odisha Cycling at the CFI Head Office in Mercantile Building, Calcutta.
In February 1964, the Odisha Cycling Association was formed under the aegis of the Odisha Olympic Association. Sri Kamini Kanta Pattanaik and Sri Ram Prasad Mohanty were elected as President and General Secretary, respectively. The Odisha Cycling Association was officially affiliated with the Cycling Federation of India in July 1964.
To promote cycling, the Odisha Cycling Association organized a state-level cycling race at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, in November 1964, where 30 cyclists from Cuttack and Rourkela Steel Plant participated. In December 1964, three cyclists from Odisha—Sri Chandra Sekhar Jena, Sri Jibanananda Sarangi, and Sri Soumendra Raja Singh—competed for the first time in the National Cycling Championship held in Patiala, Punjab.
Following Odisha’s participation in the National Cycling Championship, many aspiring cyclists expressed interest in training and competing at the national level. Recognizing their enthusiasm and potential, General Secretary Sri Rama Prasad Mohanty encouraged Sri Chandra Sekhar Jena, an employee of Rourkela Steel Plant, to begin coaching cycling. Sri Jena accepted the role and started coaching new cyclists.
Under the mentorship of Sri Chandra Sekhar Jena, nine cyclists from Odisha—Sri Jibananda Sarangi, Sri G. C. Behera, Sri Dhaneswar Singh, Sri Alekh Bastia, Sri SukhdebDas, Sri Raja Singh in the male category, and Ms. Alaka Mitra, Ms. Rama Swain, and Ms. S.S. Senapati in the female category—represented Odisha in the National Track Cycling Championship at Chandigarh. It was a momentous occasion as Sri Soumendra Raja Singh won a Gold medal in the 100-kilometer Mass Start event, marking the first time Odisha secured such an achievement. Ms. Alaka Mitra also brought pride to the state by winning a Bronze medal in the 1 KM Time Trial event. These accomplishments significantly boosted the interest of aspiring cyclists in Odisha.
To further support the growth of cycling in the state, the Head Office of the Odisha Cycling Association was relocated to Barabati Stadium. The association provided furniture and three racing cycles, which enabled Odisha’s cyclists to practice effectively and perform well in competitions.
Under the guidance of Sri Chandrasekhar Jena, several male cyclists—Sri Lambodhar Sarangi, Sri A.R. Basudev, Sri Subash Chandra Das, Sri Bijay Kumar Rout, Sri Sarat Chandra Das, Sri Nrusingh Charan Sahoo, Sri Rama Krushna Das, and Sri Manoranjan Behera—and female cyclists—Ms. Minati Mohapatra, Ms. Pradeep Kaur, Ms. Aarati Pati, Ms. Sushila Mallick, Ms. Alpana Bose, Ms. Pramila Sabat, Ms. Ranjana Sahoo, and Ms. Leena Dey—won numerous Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals until 1985.
One standout athlete was Ms. Minati Mohapatra, who earned multiple medals at national and international levels from 1970 to 1975. She notably won the Indo-Sri Lanka Championship.In 1979, a historic milestone was achieved in Indian sports when a female cyclist broke barriers to become the first woman to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award. This recognition not only celebrated her achievements but also marked a significant moment in the history of Indian cycling.
Fast forward to 1980, the Odisha Cycling Association held a crucial election, leading to Mr. Bijay Kumar Rout from Cuttack becoming the association’s secretary. Under his leadership, Odisha hosted the East Zone Cycling Championship in Cuttack for the first time. The event marked a turning point for cycling in the region.
During this period, Coach Chandra Shekhar Jena played an instrumental role in the development of cycling in Odisha. His dedication to the sport and his ability to nurture talent led to the grooming of many national and international riders, including Minati Mohapatra and I.R. Vasudevan, both of whom competed in the Asian Games. Another of his proteges, Sushil Kumar Dash, went on to participate in the Tour de France. Unfortunately, the cycling community suffered a tremendous loss in 1987 when Coach Jena passed away due to a heart attack. His death was a significant blow to the Odisha Cycling Association.
The Odisha Cycling Association remains committed to nurturing young talent and elevating the sport’s profile in the state. With ongoing efforts to organize events and provide training, the association continues to be a cornerstone in the development of cycling in Odisha, contributing to the national and international success of its athletes.
The journey began with Sri Chandra Sekhar Jena’s efforts to include cycling in the Odisha Olympics, which led to the association’s formation. A 20-kilometer race was held in November 1962, marking the beginning of organized cycling events in Odishafollowed by Odisha’s cyclists participating in national competitions. Under the leadership of figures like Sri Kamini Kanta Pattanaik and Sri Rama Prasad Mohanty president and General Secretary of Odisha Cycling Association respectivelyand coaches like Sri Chandra Sekhar Jena, Odisha’s cyclists made their mark on the national stage. Notably, athletes like Mrs. Minati Mohapatra achieved international success, with Mrs. Mohapatra becoming the first Indian woman cyclist in Indian sports history to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1979.
The Odisha Cycling Association remains committed to nurturing young talent and elevating the sport’s profile in the state. With ongoing efforts to organize events and provide training, the association continues to be a cornerstone in the development of cycling in Odisha, contributing to the national and international success of its athletes.
Despite challenges, including the loss of Coach Sri Chandra Sekhar Jena in 1987 and lack of cycling velodrome, the association continued to develop cycling talent. Under the leadership of Secretary Sri Bijay Kumar Rout, coaches like Mr. Nrusingha Charan Sahu and Mr. Sushil Kumar Das played crucial roles in nurturing new generations of cyclists, leading to successes at national & internationalchampionships. The Odisha Cycling Association’s commitment to the sport is evident in its efforts to train athletes, organize events, and overcome obstacles, such as the lack of a velodrome in the state etc.
The Odisha Cycling Association remains committed to nurturing young talent and elevating the sport’s profile in the state. With ongoing efforts to organize events and provide training, the association continues to be a cornerstone in the development of cycling in Odisha, contributing to the national and international success of its athletes.
Our mission is to promote cycling as a sport and a sustainable mode of transportation in Odisha by nurturing talent, organizing events, and building a strong community of cyclists. We aim to create a supportive environment for cyclists of all ages and abilities, fostering a culture of health, fitness, and environmental awareness.
Our Vision is to establish Odisha as a leading state for cycling in India by developing world-class cyclists and creating a network of safe and accessible cycling infrastructure. We envision a future where cycling is a key part of everyday life, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable society.
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