Uttar Pradesh, which is bracing up to host India’s first MotoGP bike racing in September 2023, estimates the global sporting event to rake in economy worth almost Rs 1,000 crore for the state.
The three-day racing extravaganza will be organised at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, Gautam Buddha Nagar district during September 22-24.
MotoGP will catalyse a slew of economic activities pertaining to transport, hospitality, ticket sales, food and beverage, travel, merchandising etc, UP additional chief secretary, sports, Navneet Sehgal said.
“The flagship event will not only generate a large number of employment opportunities, but also showcase the soft power of UP on an international scale,” he noted. MotoGP is among the most popular sporting event in the world.
MotoGP stands for Grand Prix motorcycle racing, and is reckoned as the gold standard in bike racing globally. It is the oldest established motorsport world championship. The annual event started in 1949 at the Isle of Man TT.
Meanwhile, MotoGP India will witness 116 bikers comprising 45 teams racing with superbikes cruising at a speed of 360 km/h on the sleek racing track.
“Apart from the economic activity, the sporting event will have a cascading long term impact on different sectors in UP including real estate, hotels, tourism, media, entertainment, race circuit etc,” Sehgal said adding the state will immensely benefit from the multiplier impact on private investment and business sentiments.
The MotoGP even will be live streamed in 195 countries with approximately 450 million people expected to watch the championship events across the globe. The Buddh International Circuit will accommodate about 100,000 in the stands for live viewing.
About 280 international brands of repute and representing all the major countries will be showcased at the MotoGP India.
The Yogi Adityanath government is pitching UP as a future sporting hub by investing generously in the basic sports infrastructure across the state.
While open air gymnasiums are being set up in community parks, playgrounds and small stadiums are being developed at the block and tehsil levels to groom sportspersons.
To motivate players, the state has enhanced the prize money for sportspersons who win medals at the national and international arenas.
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Meanwhile, UP government is mulling over setting up a Sports Development Authority to provide better sports facilities and groom players. The proposed Authority will ensure that the sports affairs are run by professionals who have firsthand knowledge and experience of sports.