GILGIT-BALTISTAN, May 09 (APP)::All is set to hold
International Tour de Khunjrab-2018 Road Cycle Race from May 11-13, 2018 under
the aegis of Pakistan Cycling Federation in collaboration with Govt of
Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad Cycling Federation here.
The event will consist of three stages starting from
Gilgit and finishing up at Khunjerab pass, bordering China. It will be the
world first race to be starting from 4500 feet above sea level to a record high
altitude 15400 feet above sea level with cyclists from across Pakistan,
Afghanistan and Switzerland will compete.
“It is certainly a denting task for the cyclists to go
through from Sakwar (Baab-e-Giglit) to Rakaposhi View point (Nagar) in the
first stage of 66km, followed by the second stage of 77km to be starting again
from Rakaposhi View point (Nagar) and will be culminated at Pasu and again Sost
to Khujrab of 84km. The opening ceremony will be organized on May 11 at 11.00
a.m. Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Hafiz Hafiz Ur Rehman will grace the
occasion as chief guest and will formally open the race. The closing ceremony
of the Tour de Khunjrab will be held in Karimabad Hunza.
All the cyclists have already arrived and had a testing
round on all the three stages before going to compete on the hardest and
toughest race of the world, Haroon General, the organizing Secretary of the
Race told APP in an exclusive chat.
This will be a road cycle race to the roof of the world
and for the first time international cyclists are competing with opportunities
have been given to the local male and female cyclists in order to involve them
in healthy activities, he added.
Flanked by Secretary General Pakistan Cycling Federation
(PCF) and International Technical Official Nisar Ahmad, Haroon General
disclosed that they have visited the route and alongside all arrangements have
been finalized.
Chief Commissioner GB Muhammad Usman, Secretary Sports
and Tourism Waqar Ali Khan, Deputy Commissioner Gilgit Sami Ullah, DC Nagar
Naveed Ahmad and DC Hunza Captain Ali Asghar have paid a surprising visit
alongside the media team.
Talking to APP, Chief Commissioner GP Muhammad Usman said
that the race would prove a beacon of light for the youth and people of
Gilgit-Baltistan. At one side it would give due opportunities to the youth of
Gilgit-Baltistan to see top cyclists from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Switzerland
in action besides it would also promote and highlight to the world the new
venues as far as exploring tourism of Gilgit-Baltistan is concerned.
He said the race will start from Babe-e-Gilgit on May 11
and will finish at Rakaposhi View Point in Nagar in the first stage, followed
by two other stages. The cyclists would spend second night at Sost in Upper
Hunza and will proceed to Khunjrab, situated on a 15400 feet high. The race, he
said, is aimed at to promote tourism besides attracting international cyclists
to come and explore new venues. “We found the Gilgit-Baltistan as fully rich
and blessed by nature. Its Northern areas are as beautiful as the beautiful
lush green fields of Scotland. Gilgit is one of the main cities in Baltistan
Region and is the heart of Pakistan’s Northern Areas, also known as the hub for
Mountaineers who come from all over the world,” he added.
Gilgit is truly magnificent for its scenic beauty and it
seems to be like especially crafted by the Nature to have the greatest tourism
experiences as the cyclists would explore more venues because it has consisted
of high altitude mountains, Glaciers, beautiful valleys, and lakes. This is one
reason why almost every traveler familiar with this area of Pakistan.
Secretary PCF Syed Azhar Ali Khan, a former winner of the
Tour de Pakistan Cycle Race, lauded Chief Minister GB for providing all out
supports both financially and morally. He said Haroon is a very experienced
certified coach of the International Cycling Union and had his 40-day course
last year from the World Cycling Center Satellite, South Korea. Being national
cyclist in way back 90s, Haroon have made all arrangements besides providing
opportunities to the cyclists for practice rounds.
