Ahmedabad leads CWG Day 2025: 8,000+ venues join Fit India Sundays on Cycle
Synopsis
India's 75th Fit India Sundays on Cycle turned into a nationwide CWG Day spectacle — 8,000-plus venues, 5,000 cyclists at Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Riverfront, and a minister-actor-Olympian lineup all pointing toward one destination: the centenary 2030 Commonwealth Games on home soil.
Key Takeaways
The 75th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle was held on 25 May 2025 , coinciding with Commonwealth Games Day .
More than 8,000 locations across India participated, with the flagship event at Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad drawing 5,000 participants.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya , Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghvi , and actor Ayushmann Khurrana led the Ahmedabad celebrations.
Former Olympians and CWG medallists including Gurjit Kaur , Anjum Moudgil , Gagan Narang , and Babita Phogat participated across multiple cities.
The event builds toward Ahmedabad hosting the centenary 2030 Commonwealth Games — India's first time hosting the CWG.
Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Riverfront became the epicentre of India's Commonwealth Games Day celebrations on Sunday, 25 May 2025, as the 75th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle drew participation from more than 8,000 locations across the country — the largest such mobilisation in the initiative's history. The event doubled as a national countdown to the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which Ahmedabad is set to host in what will be the centenary edition of the Games.
What Unfolded at Sabarmati Riverfront
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, and Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana joined roughly 5,000 cyclists, athletes, youth volunteers, and fitness enthusiasts at the riverfront. The Ahmedabad edition carried the theme 'A New Icon for a Fitter India — Pedalling to 2030' and featured a 5-kilometre cycling rally, Yoga demonstrations, and Zumba sessions.
A Commonwealth Games-themed exhibition inaugurated by Mandaviya spotlighted India's sporting achievements, the expansion of sports infrastructure under the Khelo India Mission, and the country's broader sports ecosystem ahead of 2030. Activities including pickleball, box cricket, volleyball, and tug of war gave the event a festival-like character spanning all age groups.
Champions and Dignitaries on the Ground
Ayushmann Khurrana cycled alongside a constellation of former Commonwealth Games medallists and Olympians: Gurjit Kaur, Rajani Etimarpu, Sonika Tandi, Anjum Moudgil, Ankur Mittal, and Trupti Murgunde. Senior sports administrators also attended, including Ajay Patel, Senior Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association; Olympic shooter and CWG medallist Gagan Narang; Mayank Srivastava, Deputy Director General of Khelo India; and Adille Sumariwalla, President of the Athletics Federation of India.
A cultural highlight blended the traditional Garba dance form with Yoga, presented by artist Anish Rangrej. Pawan Kumar from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga also conducted wellness consultations and guidance sessions for participants.
What Leaders Said
Mandaviya said: 'Today is a very special occasion as we celebrate both the 75th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle and Commonwealth Games Day. It makes me proud that Gujarat will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, and even happier to see thousands of people come together early in the morning for fitness and nation-building.'
He added: 'A fit society can build a prosperous nation. Cycling is not just exercise, it is a movement. It keeps us fit, reduces pollution and helps save fuel.'
Harsh Sanghvi said: 'Today, the entire city of Ahmedabad came alive for Fit India Sundays on Cycle, and I am extremely happy to see such an overwhelming response from the people of Gujarat.'
Nationwide Participation
Simultaneous celebrations unfolded at SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence, Khelo India Centres, and public venues across India. Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse led proceedings in Guwahati; former wrestling champion Babita Phogat participated in Dharamsala; and former Indian hockey player Saba Anjum — one of the inspirations behind the film Chak De! India — joined the festivities in Mumbai.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has indicated it will sustain community-driven events of this scale through 2030 to deepen public engagement with the Commonwealth Games movement and encourage active lifestyles ahead of India's landmark hosting debut.
Point of View
And events like this are as much about political ownership of the Games as they are about mass fitness. The 8,000-location figure is striking, but the Ministry has yet to publish independent participation audits that would validate such counts. India has never hosted a Commonwealth Games; the infrastructure and organisational bar will be significantly higher than any domestic sporting event. Whether the grassroots enthusiasm generated by these cycles rallies translates into lasting sports participation — or fades once the Games pass — is the question that will define the legacy of this entire campaign.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fit India Sundays on Cycle?
Fit India Sundays on Cycle is a government-led weekly mass cycling initiative under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aimed at promoting fitness and active lifestyles among citizens. The 75th edition, held on 25 May 2025, was the largest so far, spanning more than 8,000 locations nationwide.
Why was the 75th edition held in Ahmedabad?
Ahmedabad is set to host the centenary 2030 Commonwealth Games, making it the symbolic centre of India's CWG build-up. The 75th edition was timed to coincide with Commonwealth Games Day, and the Sabarmati Riverfront was chosen as the flagship venue to highlight the city's sporting significance.
Who attended the Ahmedabad Fit India Sundays event?
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, and actor Ayushmann Khurrana headlined the event. They were joined by Olympians and CWG medallists including Gurjit Kaur, Anjum Moudgil, Gagan Narang, and Adille Sumariwalla, among other sports administrators.
When will India host the Commonwealth Games?
India is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 in Ahmedabad, which will mark the centenary — the 100th anniversary — of the Games. It will be the first time India has hosted the Commonwealth Games.
Where else did Commonwealth Games Day celebrations take place?
Celebrations were held simultaneously at SAI Regional Centres, Khelo India Centres, and public venues across the country. Notable events included Union Minister of State Raksha Nikhil Khadse leading celebrations in Guwahati, Babita Phogat participating in Dharamsala, and Saba Anjum joining festivities in Mumbai.
