In an event titled 'Honouring the Heroes', the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) paid tribute to its pro-cycling team comprising men and women cyclists who won laurels for the country and the company in national and international events held during 2023-24.
A special shield and memento were presented to the captain of SSGC Pro-cycling Team Ali Ilyas by SSGC Managing Director Imran Maniar for his monumental historic achievement at the Asian Road Cycling Championship held in June 2024 in Almaty, Kazakhstan where he bagged two gold medals, becoming in the process, the first Pakistani to achieve this feat in the Asian Circuit.
Cyclists, including Abdul Razzaq, Azan, Habibullah, Rabia Garib, Natalia Khan, Rajia Shabbir and others, who won top positions in national and international races held in 2023-24 were also presented shields by Maniar.
The event also honoured pro-cycling team officials, including coaches, mentors and support staff, who were given mementoes. A large number of SSGC executives and employees were present at the ceremony to encourage the cycling team. A video showcasing spectacular performances by the SSGC riders was also screened on the occasion.
In his speech, the managing director said Pakistan was brimming with cycling talent. PCF President Azhar Ali Shah said Ilays’s achievement was historic as never in the past any Pakistani cyclist had won gold in the Asian Cycling Championship. He also lauded the SSGC management for promoting cycling. Addressing the ceremont, Ilyas said that while he was ecstatic about making history in Almaty, his mission was to help the next generation go beyond what he had achieved.