Hyderabad, March 29, 2026: Echoing the national call for a healthier India, the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), in collaboration with the Fit India under Sports Authority of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, hosted Sundays on Cycle, bringing together over 1000 participants from the institute and the wider community in a vibrant celebration of fitness, cycling, and active living.
Organised by the IITH Cycling Club, the event transformed the campus into a dynamic fitness arena early Sunday morning, featuring 10 km and 20 km cycling routes, alongside warm-up sessions, Zumba, and community engagement activities. The initiative aligns with the Fit India’s vision to promote everyday fitness through simple, sustainable practices like cycling.
The event was flagged off by Chief Guest Pullela Gopichand, Indian badminton legend, along with distinguished guests Sushant Kandwal, Director, Fit India & Khelo India, and Prof.B.S.Murty,Director, IITH, and was attended by Chandna Jayaram, Ravi Netha and Santhana Selvan as special guests and Fit India ambassadors.
Addressing the gathering, Pullela Gopichand emphasised the importance of integrating sports into daily life, stating that physical activity builds long-term strength and discipline. He encouraged students to adopt sports as a regular habit and appreciated IITH for consistently promoting a culture of fitness through initiatives such as the half-marathon and cycling drives.
Prof. B. S. Murty, Director, IITH, highlighted the institute’s commitment to embedding sports within academic life, noting that “At IITH, we believe that fitness and well-being are integral to education. We actively encourage students to adopt cycling as a lifestyle and, in fact, provide support to buy a cycle at the time of admission to help them take up cycling on campus actively.
We are also working to integrate sports and physical activity into our academic framework by linking sustained participation in sports to academic credits, making it an integral part of our Fractal Academic System. Initiatives like Sundays on Cycle reflect our commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals while contributing to the larger vision of a Fit India.”
Mr. Sushant Kandwal, Fit India Director, noted that the overwhelming participation reflects the growing impact of Fit India’s Sundays on Cycle, highlighting IIT Hyderabad as a model campus where students, faculty, and the community actively engage in fitness-driven initiatives.
“With growing participation and sustained momentum, Sundays on Cycle is emerging as more than just an event—it is becoming a movement that brings together community, fitness, and sustainability across the country. As institutions like IIT Hyderabad continue to champion such initiatives, they reinforce the idea that building a healthier nation begins with everyday actions and collective participation.”
Adding to the spirit of the event, Ms. Chandna Jayaram, Fit India Ambassador, shared that fitness not only strengthens the body but also expands opportunities and confidence in life. She encouraged participants to embrace cycling as an accessible and effective way to stay active.
Dr. Himanshu Joshi, Faculty In-Charge, IIT Hyderabad Cycling Initiative, said: “Events like Sundays on Cycle are playing a crucial role in engaging students and the larger community towards building a healthier lifestyle. IIT Hyderabad’s large, green campus and strong sports infrastructure provide an ideal environment to consistently promote such activities. We are committed to creating a culture where fitness becomes a natural and regular part of students’ daily life.”
The event also drew 1000+ cycling enthusiasts, families, students, and faculty, creating a unique blend of community interaction and healthy competition.
