SAI cycling academy inaugurated

• Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mr. Jitendra Singhinaugurated the Sports Authority of India National Cycling Academy (SAI NCA) at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, New Delhi on 5th March 2014. 
• The academy with complete back-up facilities has been set up following the decision taken in the 42nd meeting of the Governing Body of SAI. 
• The academy would be financed by the government initially, ultimately becoming self-sustaining in the long run.
• The academy would cater to the identification and nurturing of talent at both sub-junior and junior levels and to the training of elite athletes for international/national competitions. 
• Apart from above said inauguration, the Youth Affairs and Sports Minister also launched a project to create swimming pools at three stadiums in the New Delhi, namely 

1. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS)
2. Indira Gandhi Sports Complex (IGSC)
3. Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range

• Project of creating swimming polls is having an estimated cose of 907.50 Lakhs.

Purpose of setting of the Academy 

• Academy will cater in identification and nurturing of young talent at both sub-junior and junior levels 
• It will also train the elite athletes on a run up to their preparations for international/national competitions.

Earlier, in 2013 India received the first-ever Gold medal in the history of Cycling in the Asian Cycling Championship held at Bangkok (Thailand).