Protests put Tour of Himalayas in jeopardy

Event set to have participation from seven countries.


Nabeel Hashmi September 21, 2012

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cycling Federation’s (PCF) Tour of Himalayas Mountain Bike Championship might be postponed due to the protests against the blasphemous film.

PCF Secretary Azhar Ali Shah said that cyclists from Slovakia, Italy, England and Germany had arrived for the event that will also see female athletes taking part. He added that the presence of female cyclists will help deliver a safe image of Pakistan to the international sporting fraternity.

“It’s a big achievement since we’ve been able to attract female cyclists,” Shah told The Express Tribune. “Their presence will help us gain trust of the international fraternity. The event was due for September 21 but we’ll decide whether to go ahead or not as the cyclists’ security is our priority.”

PCF president to attend UCI meeting

Meanwhile, PCF President Munawar Baseer Ahmed is currently in the Netherlands for the 181st Congress of the International Cycling Union.

“Ahmed will also ask the international body to waive off the £4,000 fees for the Tour de Pakistan because we can’t pay such an amount,” added Shah.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2012.

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