Sindh’s Aneesa wins gold as SSGC continue domination

By Our Correspondent

November 28, 2023

LAHORE: The pedallists of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) continued to excel while Sindh’s Aneesa won gold in the women’s junior individual pursuit in the 68th National Track Cycling Championship here at the cemented velodrome on Monday.

The stands were full on the second day and the fans were enthralled by the close contests in various events in which mostly SSGC’s riders prevailed.

The men’s elite team sprint gold was won by the crew of SSGC. Karachi-based Bikestan Club took silver while Punjab claimed bronze. In the men’s junior individual pursuit final, Azan of SSGC showed great skills and won the gold while Nabiullah of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa claimed silver. The bronze went to Rehmatullah of Balochistan.

A cyclist arrives at the finishing line during the 68th National Track Cycling Championship at Lahore Velodrome on Nov 26, 2023. —Facebook/PCFOfficial

In the women’s junior individual pursuit, Aneesa of Sindh claimed gold, Sneha of Punjab got silver while Bibi Maryam of Balochistan claimed bronze. In the women’s elite team sprint, SSGC claimed gold, Punjab finished with a silver medal while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took bronze.

In the women’s elite elimination, Rajia of SSGC got gold, Faryal of KP claimed silver while Mareena of Balochistan secured bronze. On the third and final day, the competitions of men’s elite team pursuit (4 km), women’s elite keirin (6 laps), men’s elite keirin (6 laps) and women’s elite elimination will be conducted.

Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Director General Shoaib Khoso was expected to grace the closing ceremony but according to sources he regretted due to engagements at his office in Islamabad.

In the event, more than 100 pedallists from across the country are showcasing their talent. The selectors are witnessing the event to pick cyclists for the preparatory camp for the Asian Championship which will be hosted by India in New Delhi in February.

Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF) plans to hold a training camp for a couple of months at Lahore. The PCF is also mulling an option to send the squad to Delhi a week before the event so that the cyclists could train for a few days on the wooden track.