Zubair Qureshi
Pakistani cyclists along with the US counterparts and members of various sporting organizations launched Girls Cycling Squad (GCS) at the Fatima Jinnah Park, F-9 with a mission to ‘empower women through cycling.’
A 70-year old cyclist and founder of international cycling organization Early Bird Risers (EBR) Zaheeruddin Khwaja, his colleague and pioneer of GCS, Captain Samreen Khan, Senior Air Traffic Controller at CAA and an avid cyclist Asad Sakhi and Professor at Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) Dr Salma were also present on the occasion.
A good number of US cyclists who had travelled all the way to Pakistan to join Captain Samreen and her team in the launch of the GCS and girl students of local schools also attended the event and expressed their passion for cycling and to share their stories with one another.
Speaking on the occasion, Captain Samreen said she had been cycling for last many years and had pedaled 280-km distance from Gilgit to Khunjrab Pass (Pak-China border) at a height varying from 5000 to 15000 feet.
My passion is to empower women through cycling and I have been fortunate to have support of my colleagues national and the international in this noble pursuit, she said.
EBR pioneer and a mentor and an ‘age-defying’ cyclist Zaheeruddin Khwaja said he had been mentoring and motivating youth particularly women to “cycle away” their worries and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
“I celebrated my 70th birthday at Khunjrab Pass this year and believe cycling is a means of get rid of all your worries and boredom,” he said.
My aim in life is to promote cycling and tourism, he said.
Khwaja is against the gym culture and gathers rounds with youth to sing “Ye watan tmhara hai tm ho pasbaan iss kay” on loud notes while cycling.
He believes that youths are the only asset we have got and they should be protected from the dangers of 21st century, which can only be achieved by acquiring the nature around.
On the occasion, a young American cyclist Taylor Kuyk briefed the Pakistani girl cyclists about various parts and functions of bicycle and highlighted importance of safe bicycling.
Captain Samreen while talking to Pakistan Observer said and hoped more and more girls would join the GCS and promote cycling which is an for environment-friendly sport.
Later the Pakistani and the US cyclists went all the way to Monal on bicycles to celebrate the launch and enjoy themselves a sunny day.
