Kezia Varghese Completes Pioneering All-Women Cycling Coaching Course in Switzerland

Kezia Varghese's Remarkable Achievement

Kezia Varghese from India has made history by finishing the International Cycling Federation's inaugural all-women Coaching Course (Level 3) for elite coaches at their headquarters in Aigle, Switzerland, earlier this week.

At 35 years old, this former international cyclist from Kochi, Kerala, was selected for this prestigious program as part of an initiative by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) aimed at supporting athletes, coaches, and sports professionals globally, as stated in a press release from the UCI.

A Unique Experience

Kezia shared her experience, stating, "Only 12 women participated in this incredible course, and I was chosen through the IOC's Olympic Solidarity Scholarship initiative. The past three weeks at the World Cycling Centre in Aigle have been an extraordinary learning experience for me."

An Illustrious Career

Throughout her distinguished career, Kezia has secured 6 international medals and an impressive 84 national medals. After retiring, she transitioned into coaching, completing her UCI Level 1 and 2 Courses, and has served as a State coach for the past four years.

UCI's Commitment to Indian Cycling

Jacques Landry, UCI Director of the World Cycling Centre, emphasized their mission to support coaches and athletes from nations lacking access to top-tier training facilities. He noted, "There has been a growing interest in cycling in India, and we are thrilled that another Indian coach has participated in one of our specialized courses."

Future Aspirations for Indian Cycling

Kezia expressed her gratitude to the Cycling Federation of India for this opportunity, stating, "I will work even harder to see India succeed in major international competitions. I aim to leverage my experiences and the knowledge gained from this course to enhance Indian cycling and improve our riders' performances."

She added, "I now have a better understanding of how to effectively plan and structure training sessions and how to periodize them for long-term benefits."

Kezia also appreciated the insights shared by her classmates, saying, "The course was advanced, and I learned a lot from my peers who generously shared their experiences and knowledge with us."