Cycling fascinate me, mountain girl Aqila says

HUNZA (Gilgit-Baltistan), May 20 (APP)::Young, energetic and talented Aqila Saleem expressed the optimism that she
would soon be representing national team, if provided in-time opportunities.
Talking to APP in an exclusive chat, 17-year-old Aqila, who got the honour
of being the only female cyclist from Gilgit-Baltistan, who took part side-by-side
national and international cyclists in the recently concluded Serena International
Tour de Khunjrab Road Cycle Race held in three different stages – first stage
from Gilgit to Rakaposi View Point (66-kilometer), second stage from Rakaposi
View Point to Sost (110-kilometers) and third stage from Sost to Khunjrab Pass
(84-kilometers).
Surprisingly, the male cyclists completed their first journey of 66km in 2
hours and 11-minutes but Aqila paddled past her most thrilling journey in 5 hours
and 18 minutes 23 sec. She did not look behind after starting an amateur cyclist
and finished the first stage, well behind the national and international cyclists part
of the race. Aqila has another cyclist Samreen from Islamabad completed the first
stage by surprising everyone present on this occasion.
“I’m feeling proud of being the only female from Gilgit-Baltistan, that participated
in the historical road race that started from 400 feet high above sea level and culminated
to a record 15500 feet at Khunjrab Pass near Pakistan-China border,” a proud Aqila said.
It is the first such road race in the world that reached to 15500 feet above sea level,
she remarked.
“I’m a cyclist and riding on a cycle since my childhood. My first demand to my
loving father Saleem, a local hotelier, to buy a cycle and since then I explored many
places on my two-wheelar,” she said, adding, “my first love is cycling and I want to be
an international cyclist by representing Pakistan.”
Aqila Saleem, hailing from a remote village Passu, District Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan,
used to go on her bi-cycle to her education institution Government Girls College Gulmit,
Gojal. “It is really fascinated me when other girls, from my village Passu, coming on
foot and I used to go on my bicycle which clearly indicated my love toward cycling,”
Aqila Saleem added.
Aqila also took part in the second stage of 110km but she could not make it to
the finish and after cycling for 57km, she starting walk alongside her ordinary cycle.
“My aim was to complete in the second stage but I was badly feeling pain in my
legs and afraid of developing cramps in my muscles that is why I could not reach
to the finish line but I assure you next time, I will complete all three stages,” she
added.
About her third stage, Aqila said that “I have an ordinary cycle but I tried my
hard to do cycling in the last stage to be finishing on Khunjrab Pass but it was so
tough as the cyclists started the road race from 400m feet above sea leave and
finished at high altitude 15500 feet which is rather a difficult task for me to reach
at Khunjrab Pass.”
“I’m so much eager to be part of the national and international cyclists but I
don’t have proper cycle, which the cyclists used during the race. There is more
than 57 slopes and above 66 uphill task during the last stage of 84 kilometer from
Sost to Khunjrab Pass. So it is rather not a good decision for me to cycle on such
a dangerous track. Look; it’s my cycle, its brakes are inappropriate, without gear
and a good chain,” Aqila added, while giving a smiling response.
The national and international cyclists use different type of bicycle, with
new technology, different in sizes according to body structure, front and back
wheels brakes, the addition of chains and cranks and pedals, gear for downhill
and uphill and above all good control, so it is difficult for me to compete
side-by-side as an amateur cyclist, Aqila remarked.
“It really doesn’t matter much where this one individual young lady is going
on her wheel and completed the first stage but no one come to me and appreciate
or invited on stage to tell the people that Aqila completed the race as an amateur
cyclist and she becomes the only female from Gilgit-Baltistan to achieve that
credential,” she said with tears on her cheeks.
“Yes being a woman, I could not compete the way male cyclists could but
there should be some appreciated remarks for me as well when there was prize
distribution ceremony for those completed the first stage. I also completed the
first stage and was part of the race as an amateur cyclist and first female of
G-B,” a sobbing Aqila added.
“Riders like me want to believe we are doing our part for the environment
but the cause the national and international cyclists brought her for us to highlight
the new venue to rest of the world besides attracting local and international tourists,”
Aqila said.
“Our livelihood are more on tourism so holding of the Serena International Tour
de Khunjrab Road Cycle Race is a good initiative in motivating people to adopt cycling
for good health, free from pollutions, explore new venues and attract local and
international tourists to visit this scenic places,” she further added. “I have been
promised by Secretary PCF to be invited to the national camp very soon and from
now onward I started preparation so that I could show my talent in an appropriate
manner,” Aqila said.
She also thanked Secretary Sports and Culture Waqar Ali Khan, Chief
Commissioner G-B Muhammad Usman Khan, Chief Secretary G-B Babar
Hayat Tarar, Secretary Pakistan Cycling Federation Syed Azhar Ali Shah and
above all Chief Minister G-B Hafiz Hafeez Ur Rehman for extending all out support
in holding the Serena International Tour de Khujrab Road Cycle by highlighting the
peace and stability of G-B to the rest of the world.
“My mom and my father were my loving mentors who always extended support
to me in my cycling,” Aqila replied to question, adding, “I also use to gardening and
being vegetarians I have a lawn full of various types of seasonal vegetables.”