15 women take part in Bamyan cycle race

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): A number of females took part in a cycle race aimed at creating awareness about women’s rights and elimination of violence against them in central Bamyan province on Monday.

Fifteen women pedaled a five-kilometre route from the Gymnasium Road in Bamyan City to the Ring Road, as a huge crowd watched and clapped to encourage the participants.

Each cyclist tried to win the race but it was Zakia Mohammadi who came first and Zuhra finished second. Seema got third position. The three women were awarded cups and other prizes.

Zakia told Pajhwok Afghan News the aim of their participation in the race was to show females had the ability to take part in any kind of sports competitions.

She said there were no problems for female athletes openly participating in games. “Our message to other Afghan women is that they should be confident and try to have equal rights.”

A spectator, Fatima, said watching such games in Bamyan showed the security situation was stable in the province.

Bamyan Sports Director Mohammad Kabir Toofan said the race — supported by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the department of women’s affairs — was part of the campaign to eliminate violence against women.  

mds/ma

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