Hyderabad, Dec 20 (IANS): Actor Regina Cassandra joined para cyclists and other amateur cyclists to cover a distance of 100 km on Sunday as part of their Kashmir to Kanyakumari Infinity Ride 2020.
The cyclists reached Hyderabad on Sunday and later left for its last leg.
Regina Cassandra accompanied riders from Hyderabad to Mahbubnagar covering a distance of 104 km.
"I have been associated with the foundation and Infinity Ride since its inception. Am really impressed and motivated with the level of dedication each one of them has shown in these difficult circumstances while riding such distances. I think creating awareness about para-sports is very important as much as supporting them and Aditya Mehta Foundation and Aditya himself is doing everything to make this dream come true of creating heroes for the future," she said.
Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan flagged off the final leg of the ride from Hyderabad to Kanyakumari. Top Telugu film stars also participated in the ride and cycled till the outskirts of the city as a mark of solidarity with the cause.
Celebrities like Regina Cassandra, Lakshmi Manchu, Shilpa Reddy and Shobu Yarlagadda, the producer of 'Baahubali' and AMF Trustee, were also present at flagging off the riders.
Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF) is organising this ride for a sixth consecutive year to spread awareness about para-sports and scout talent to train and nurture them and prepare to win medals for the country at the international stage.
The Governor appreciated AMF for their work. "This is the first function I'm attending amid this pandemic and I wanted to attend it to support specially-abled people and today I'm here as their strong supporter. I'm really happy with the arrangements and set up in Academy [Infinity Para Sports Academy and Rehabilitation Centre] to train these children and people. People with the super ability only want our support, they are more confident than us," she said while flagging off the riders.
Starting from Hyderabad, the final leg of the Infinity Ride 2020 will see cyclists riding the remaining 1,279 km distance through Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before completing a 36-city and 45-day journey in Kanyakumari on December 31.
The the riders reached Hyderabad after completing an arduous journey of more than 2,500 km starting from Kashmir on November 19.
"We have been receiving good support during our journey from Kashmir and I hope more and more people come forward to join and help us in our mission. I would like to thank the Hon'ble Governor of Telangana and Border Security Force (BSF) for their relentless support in this long and arduous journey," said AMF Founder Aditya Mehta, who is also India's first-ever para cyclist and a Limca Book of World Records holder.
The ride is being pursued by a team of 30 cyclists, including members of Indian para-cycling team, country's only women para cyclist and other amateurs cyclists who are part of this initiative currently.