ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (NNN-APP) – A cycle race is going to be held in Pakistan’s erstwhile terrorism-marred tribal region of South Waziristan, in north-west Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, to celebrate return of peace, and promote tourism in the region, an official with the cycling federation said, yesterday.
The “Tour De Waziristan” will start on Nov 28 (tomorrow), in Dera Ismail Khan district of the province, and conclude on Nov 30 in South Waziristan, Haroon, general secretary of Islamabad chapter of the Pakistan Cycling Federation, said.
The event is being jointly organised by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, Pakistan Cycling Federation, paramilitary troops Frontier Corps, and local district administration.
About 100 cyclists from different teams across the country will participate in the race, and the participants will cover a total distance of 189 km, in three stages, in the former militancy-infested area of the province. The winning participants will get prize money of around 300,000 Pakistani rupees (about 1,715 U.S. dollars), Haroon said.
“South Waziristan is a beautiful land, where peace has been restored after a lot of sacrifices rendered by the people of the region and security forces. The cycling federation wants people of Pakistan to know that the region is completely safe for excursion and trade activities, by holding the cycling contest with famous local cyclists in participation,” he added.
The event will not only open a new window of tourism to the region but also help create job opportunities through it, Haroon added.– NNN-APP
