Afghan ladies who fled Taliban to make historical past at UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow

Two ladies are set to make historical past subsequent week once they signify Afghanistan on the UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.

Arefa, 24, and 22-year-old Mina have been coaching twice every week of their native park since February to arrange for the event.

“I want to represent my country, for every Afghan girl that doesn’t have that opportunity,” Arefa instructed Sky News.

“When the Taliban came to the country everything was banned for girls, every day, one more thing we couldn’t do.”

Women and women in Afghanistan have been banned from enjoying and competing in sport since UK and worldwide forces left the nation two years in the past and the Taliban took over.

The pair arrived within the UK in October 2022, having fled Afghanistan.

“It was difficult to leave our country, our families, our friends, our future,” Mina instructed Sky News

“We made a plan, we made a life in Afghanistan.

“We needed to go away to be protected and to attempt to be an expert bike owner and enhance prospects for Afghan ladies.”

‘Phenomenal story’

As refugees, they spent one yr in hiding, fearing for his or her lives.

Once within the UK, each skilled beneath the steering of coach James Hey.

He supplied them with bikes from his small biking enterprise once they arrived and shortly noticed their expertise.

“Mina and Arefa had great potential,” he instructed Sky News.

“After much work, we have now been invited to participate in the UCI World Cycling Championships in Glasgow.

“Their preliminary response was one among disbelief.

“Going from their province where they used to dress up as men to now being on the world stage.

“It’s an outstanding story.”

Read extra:
Taliban ‘need to destroy’ rights of ladies and women

Olympics subsequent?

The championships begin on Thursday, and the Afghan workforce can anticipate to compete in opposition to biking’s world greatest.

Sports psychologist Maria Jacob works with the ladies to assist settle them of their new residence.

“It’s more than just the mental training, and the practice,” she mentioned.

“The fundamental work I am doing, is re-building. They are excited, they are already talking about the world championships, they are already talking about the Olympics.”