The Hashimi sisters first and second in the Afghan National Championship. But it’s a party for 49

They all won, cycling won and, finally, the Afghan women won. The national cycling championship of the Asian country, organized by the UCI in Aigle, Switzerland, was run in 49. The race, 57 km starting and finishing in front of the World Cycling Center, was a party and a challenge between girls refugees in different countries of the world. 19 of them live between L’Aquila and Veneto. She won Fariba Hashimi in front of his sister Yulduz. It was a two-man sprint, after an uphill attack, thanks to which the two sisters, both members of the Italian Valcar, made a void. Zahra Rezayee took the bronze. The top five were Under 23s. The best of the elite, Masomah Alizada, in Tokyo 2020 was the first Afghan cyclist ever at the Olympic Games.

“I didn’t think I was going to win, I thought she was going to be my sister,” said Fariba Hashimi. Her sister described the race tactic: “We talked to each other during the race and worked together. Today’s was more than just a race. We hope we sent a message about women’s rights in Afghanistan and that the world will awake. I hope women will regain their rights soon. We are trying to change things. ” The Hashimi sisters immediately received an offer to run for Israel-Premier Tech Roland in 2023. “This offer is a big surprise to me and it’s great to share it with my sister,” Fariba said. The patron of the Israeli team Sylvan Adams was among the most active in solidarity actions to encourage the exodus of girls from the battered country through his philanthropic association IsraAid. The Taliban oppose women’s cycling, they consider it impure, scandalous. Before the start, all the girls showed a white card, the symbol of cycling’s commitment to a world in peace and without inequality.