Bicycle race in Malé after 15 years

Bike Maldives has held the first bicycle race in Malé City in recent history.

Although numerous bicycle races were held during the time of the late Zahir Naseer, the father of Maldivian sports to many, the race today is the first of it’s kind in 15 years.

While 72 competitors joined the Junior Bike League at the race held with three age categories, only 51 participants were able to compete at the race due to rain and other reasons held at the Industrial Village in Malé City.

The race began at 8 a.m. this morning where participants competed in under 9 years, under 11 years and under 13 years categories of both genders.

And so the under 9 years-girls category was won by Layan Hassan Shafaz by cycling 1 kilometer while the under 9 years-boys category was won by Abdulla Eelam.

The under 11 years-girls category was won by Zaina Asim Mohamed by cycling 2 kilometers. The boys category in the same age group was won by Hussain Mahmood Ibrahim.

The winner of the under 13 years-boys category was won by Mohamed Shaifshan. The under 13 years-girls category was won by Fathimath Maasha by cycling 5 kilometers. She was the only comeptitor in the category.

President and a Founding Member of Bike Maldives, Zuleykha Hassan Didi (Dhaley) said that this was a beginning and similar events will be held in the future.

She said that their biggest target is to reduce the number of engine vehicles in Malé City. And so create a bicycle lane is already being discussed with the relevant authorities.

“And creating love for bicycles among school children and hosting more of such competitions is also a big purpose for us.” Dhaley said.

She said that Bike Maldives is hoping establish and open applications for a junior branch to increase the number of young cyclists.