Published 11:31 IST, November 13th 2019
Anil Kumble cycles in Bengaluru to raise awareness on World Diabetes Day
Anil Kumble was joined by more than 300 cyclists alongside police commissioner Bhaskar Rao to raise awareness for World Diabetes Day which is on November 14.
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Indian cricketing legend Anil Kumble was joined on Monday by more than 300 cyclists alongside Karnataka Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao in Bengaluru to raise awareness for World Diabetes Day which is observed on November 14 each year.
Novo Nordisk Education Foundation's initiative 'The Cyclothon — Pedals Changing Diabetes' is also supported by the Royal Embassy of Denmark.
The event was kicked off by Freddy Svane, who is Denmark's ambassador to India. International cyclist Brais Dacal, the ambassador of Team Novo Nordisk is India and he shared his experience of living with diabetes from a young age.
The cyclothon was led by Kumble and Rao as they covered 10 km, starting from KTPO Whitefield. Children and senior citizens who are diabetic also participated in the event. Rao said that it was a great joy to be there and cycle for the cause. He went on to say how they could make a difference by cycling from home to office every Monday. He added that the police department was also promoting cycling and urged everyone to cycle at least once a week.
Kumble added that sports are a great way to achieve and maintain a fit body and urged people to incorporate them in their daily lives as it reduced stress, which was a dominant cause of Type-2 diabetes. He added that cycling was a wonderful way to stay fit. The former Indian captain thanked the Novo Nordisk Education Foundation, who organised this cyclothon that brought everyone together to discuss ways in which sports could be an enabler of good health.
Anil Kumble shares cyclothon pictures on social media
Was great to cycle on the roads of Bengaluru after many years; to raise diabetes awareness for #WorldDiabetesDay. Inspiring to ride beside @braisdacal from @teamnovonordisk, a global all-diabetes cyclist team; along with @deepolice12 & @svane_freddy.#PedalsChangingDiabetes pic.twitter.com/JR3TytTUSL
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) November 12, 2019
According to a leading Indian media portal, 72.9 million people in India live with diabetes, which results in a severe economic and emotional burden on their families. Moreover, a worrying sign is that 80% of those living with diabetes did not have the disease under control due to a lack of awareness about monitoring and management.
09:44 IST, November 13th 2019