Daily Times

Hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the record holding athlete and cyclist Samar Khan reflects on her past venture of riding 1,000 kilometres to Khunjerab pass on a bicycle. She was also the first Pakistani woman to cycle on roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania last year. In an exclusive interview, Khan unveils her personal side and dishes on her love for sports.

You undertook a lifetime risk of riding all the way from Islamabad to the Pak-China border. What was your state of mind before you began the adventure?

It was a life changing experience for me and my first ever cycle expedition which led me to my breakthrough in adventure sports. Last year, I scaled in Africa too. I was excited but scared at the same time as it was my first international venture. After relentless preparations, the certainty of scaling the highest peak of Africa on a bike was not clear given the weather, geographic conditions and height sickness.

Was your family easily convinced to give this venture a shot?

They knew I was preparing myself aggressively for the expedition. More importantly, ISPR supported me throughout my journey as I was representing Pakistan in another continent. My family trusted me wholeheartedly with this opportunity but they made sure that I was in contact with them.

“Some people call it fake while others label me for playing the female card but I consider it as ‘background noise’ because people never uplift or guide you amid your struggles”

Did you face criticism for your achievement?

Criticism is inevitable with every achievement, especially coming from those who have never experienced off-roading. Some people call it fake while others label me for playing the female card but I consider it as ‘background noise’ because people never uplift or guide you amid your struggles.

Were you mentally and physically prepared for the record holding expedition?

I was mentally prepared for all the struggles and tough conditions but it was a physical challenge to climb the mountains. I had been training for months but lack of food, water and harsh climate of Tanzania affected my health since I was scaling on a different continent.

What hurdles did you encounter while traveling all the way? Did you have a backup plan?

While passing through Moshi gate, I requested the officials of Kilimanjaro National Park for rescue and backup arrangements. I was content with a backup plan but the core hurdle for me was taking my bicycle to the summit point and crossing muddy tracks, rocky terrain and steeps in an unpredictable weather. I had allergies and a swollen face. However, I was treated on my return to the entrance gate.

How did you celebrate your success?

Luckily I met a few Pakistani families in Arusha, Tanzania; they were really hospitable and celebrated my success cordially by throwing a dinner party. While I was there, I shared my experiences of scaling Killi and how ISPR encouraged me in my expedition.

Do you think you received sufficient media coverage for your accomplishment? Are you disappointed?

This is my second time achieving something substantial for Pakistan but my story was overshadowed by political parties and their skirmishes. It saddens me because politics often hijacks the spotlight from unsung heroes and I say that explicitly because many athletes tussle for their success.

What was the most memorable moment for you when you look back at your journey?

There were mountaineers from different countries on Mount Kilimanjaro and I was the only Pakistani there. I was lauded with respect and was called a Pakistani biker by many people. I suppose that was the most memorable moment to share.

What sports other than cycling are you fond of?

Besides cycling, I love mixed martial arts because I gained all my confidence and strength from it. I have been trying to excel in it for a long time now as I have to travel solo in my expeditions, so I can defend myself in the time of need. I also feel that more women should opt for this sport to empower themselves.

What are your future endeavours?

I plan to create a platform to train and motivate people to join sports. I will set future examples to inspire Pakistan’s youth to bring honour to their country.

Samar Khan believes that cycling is the best way to explore the world. With two exceptional accomplishments to her credit, Khan endeavours to make a difference in Pakistan and shun preconceived notions about an average Pakistani woman.

Published in Daily Times, March 10^th 2018.