Peshawar, Rawalpindi National Cycle Race flag-off
Bureau Report

PESHAWAR—In full security cover by the NWFP police, a total of 49 cyclists paddled off Sunday in the 2nd edition of the 160 kilometers Peshawar to Rawalpindi Cycle Race from PC Hotel premises at around 9.00 a.m.
IGP NWFP Malik Naveed was the chief guest on this occasion and formally flag off the race. Secretary of the Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF) Khawjah M. Idrees, President of the NWFP Cycling Association Azhar Ali Shah, Secretary Nisar Ahmad and large number of spectators were also present on this occasion. Speaking on this occasion, Malik Naveed appreciated the organizers for holding Peshawar-Rawalpindi cycle race. He also announced a cash prize of Rs. 10,000/- for the winner, Rs. 7000/- for the runners-up and Rs. 5000/- for the third position holder.
Malik Naveed also announced forming of NWFP Police Cycling team. To select cyclists, he asked NWFP Cycling Association and PCF to provide technical assistance in finalizing team on merit.
He assured that every facility would be provided to Police team besides cycling team. Sports activities vital for establishing peace in our rank besides it also helped decreasing crime ratio in the society by involving the youth in healthy activities, the IGP remarked. Earlier, the race paddled off amidst thunder applauses for Rawalpindi by covering a distance of 160 kilometer in approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes time. Arif Ali, now representing Pakistan Railways, was the winner of the first edition.
It was surprising that the team of Sui Southern Gas, despite confirmation skipped out from the race. Talking to APP, Khawjah M. Idrees said that he would discuss such thing with newly appointed MD of Sui Southern Gas. He said SSG was a vital partner of the PCF when Munawar Baseer was MD. He disclosed that SSG has the services of quality cyclists and skipping out from the race at eleventh hour is not justified.
Winner of four times Tour de Pakistan race Nusrat Khan is deputed as chief referee of the race, Azhar Ali Shah and Nisar Ali and Director Race and Technical Officer respectively.
The cyclists are Malik Bashir, Haroon Rashid, Abdul Karim, Abdul
Ahad, M. Azeem, Nazir Bhatti (Wapda), Asim Ali, Azhar Mehmood, Naveed, Amjad Ali, Saifullah, M. Zeeshan, Asif Ali, M. Asif (Army), Sohial Ali, Naveed, Waeem, Farhad, Hussain, Nisar Ahmad (Railways), Saadullah, Abdul Baseer, Abdul Razaq, Hassan Ali, Sardar, Tura Jan (Balochistan), Sabir, Imran, Sharif, Hanif, Niamat, Muhammad Sajjad, Shahid Ali (NWFP), Sharif, Inayatullah, Irshad, Pervaiz, Ihsan, Moula Bukhash (Sindh), M. Asif, Faizullah, Faisal, Amanat (Punjab), Imran, Aamir, Nasir Hussain, Haq Nawaz, Umar Hayat and Hasan Bilal (FATA).