Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur tried his hands on a sports bike with MotoGP Bharat riders on Saturday as part of a promotional event ahead of the MotoGP racing scheduled to take place at Buddha International Circuit in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Budh Nagar from September 22 to 24 this year.
In the video shared by news agency ANI on Twitter, the sports minister can be seen putting on a helmet, especially designed for the racing bikes. He then sits on one of the bikes and takes a short ride inside the premises of what looks like his residence in Delhi.
He also spoke to the media and said that for the first time such a big event is being held in the country which will help in boosting the automobile industry.
"Moto GP is going to be held in India for the first time. This big event will be held in Gautam Budh Nagar, India. First time an Indian racer will participate in a Moto GP race. Now there will be a boost for racing bikes our automobile industry will also get a lot of boost. This is going to be a big initiative...I have full faith that this is just the beginning, India will achieve new heights in racing," Thakur was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Earlier, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the success of the MotoGP racing event would strengthen 'Brand Uttar Pradesh'. He also unveiled the first ticket for the first race of 'MotoGP India 2023.
"MotoGP is the world's biggest, fastest, and oldest bike racing competition. It is a matter of pride and joy that for the first time, India will be hosting 'MotoGP' from September 22 to September 24, 2023, at Buddha International Circuit, Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh. This will undoubtedly be a significant and prestigious event for the new Uttar Pradesh of the new India as well as for the entire nation," said Adityanath.