Demonstrating endurance, stamina, speed and great spirit, Zahid Gulfam of WAPDA won the crown of gruelling 1674 kilometres in the 15th Tour de Pakistan International Cycle which concluded here on Saturday amid colourful ceremony. Zahid covered the marathon distance in 46 hours 13 minutes and 09 seconds to grab the overall honours among the pack of 41 riders which started the 153-km 11th and final Hyderabad to Karachi stage this morning.
Nisar Ahmed of SSGC secured second spot behind Zahid with a difference of just 70 seconds while Hashmatullah of Afghanistan was third with 46 hours 16 minutes and 57 seconds. "I am thrilled to win this tough event after lapse of seven years," 26-year-old Zahid Gulfam from Lahore told reporters.
He said he also won the Tour de Pakistan in 2003. The race began with 62 participants including five Afghan riders from Peshawar on March 1 and passed through cities of NWFP, Punjab and Sindh before it culminated a couple of furlongs from Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Awais Mahmood of Army won the final 153-km stage in four hours 37 minutes and 07 seconds. Abdul Wahab of Sindh was second with 4 hrs 43 min 23 seconds and Muslim Gul of Balochistan with third with 4 hrs 43 minute and 33 seconds. One of Afghanistan cyclist Muhammad Zaman Hakeem was taken to following hospital due to dehydration. US $10,000 prize money will also be distributed among the top position holders.
Zahid Gulfam will get US $2500, Nisar Ahmed US $1500 and third position holder Hashmatullah of Afghanistan will receive UD$1000. The prize distribution ceremony will be held at Sindh Governors' House later tonight. The event has been staged under the directive and patronisation of the President of Pakistan with support by Pakistan Sports Board by Pakistan Cycling Federation.. 10 position holders:
1.Zahid Gulfam (WAPDA) 46hrs 13min 09 sec
2.Nisar Ahmed (SSGC)46hrs 14min 19 sec
3.Hashmatullah (Afghanistan) 46hrs 16min 57 sec
4.Imtiaz Hasan (Afghanistan) 46hrs 17min 30 sec
5.Asif Javed (SSGC)46hrs 20min 26 sec
6.M.Ibrahim (WAPDA)46hrs 22min 08 sec
7.Awais Mahmood (Army)46hrs 23min 15 sec
8.Sabir Ali (Sindh) 46hrs 26min 47 sec
9.Hasan(WAPDA) 46hrs 27min 53 sec
10.Awais Aslam (WAPDA) 46hrs 27min 58 sec.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.