KARACHI (Sports Correspondent): The 10th National Road Cycling Championship concluded successfully at Bahria Town Karachi, with Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) emerging as the leading team on the gold medal table after an impressive three-day competition.
Organized by the Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF), the championship was held from October 9 to 11 and brought together cyclists from across Pakistan. Athletes competed in men’s, women’s, junior, masters and other categories, with events including individual time trials, team time trials and road races.
Teams representing SSGC, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and other organizations participated in the national championship.
SSGC Leads Gold Medal Standings
SSGC produced the strongest overall performance, securing 11 gold medals during the championship.
Pakistan Ordnance Factories won three gold medals, while Pakistan Army and Balochistan secured one gold medal each.
In the overall medal standings, SSGC collected 16 medals, followed by Pakistan Army with seven and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with four. Balochistan also featured among the medal-winning teams.
The competitions provided a valuable platform for athletes to demonstrate their skills while allowing selectors and officials to identify promising cyclists for future national and international competitions.
Masters and Young Cyclists Feature Prominently
One of the notable features of this year’s championship was the inclusion of masters’ categories for cyclists aged 40–49 and 50 years and above.
The event also encouraged the participation of young male and female cyclists, supporting the development of emerging talent and helping expand the competitive cycling base in Pakistan.
HabibMetro Bank and Bahria Town Support Championship
The Pakistan Cycling Federation said HabibMetro Bank provided major financial support for the organization of the championship, while Alkhidmat and Bahria Town Karachi also extended their cooperation.
The PCF appreciated Bahria Town’s facilities and logistical support for participating teams and athletes. Cyclists and officials also welcomed the venue, course and overall arrangements.
The championship provided an opportunity to promote cycling across Pakistan while also highlighting Bahria Town Karachi as a venue capable of hosting major sporting events.
Closing Ceremony Held in Karachi
The closing ceremony took place on October 11, with Ms. Sharifa Haider Ali, Senior Executive at HabibMetro Bank, attending as the chief guest.
She distributed prizes among cyclists who delivered outstanding performances during the championship.
The Pakistan Cycling Federation thanked sponsors, supporting organizations, participating teams, officials, organizers and the Bahria Town administration for their contributions to the successful completion of the event.
Pakistan Plans South Asian Road Cycling Championship
Looking ahead, the Pakistan Cycling Federation announced plans to explore the possibility of hosting international-level cycling events at Bahria Town Karachi.
The federation plans to host the South Asian Road Cycling Championship next year, subject to consultations and the required approvals from relevant international cycling authorities and other stakeholders.
The proposed championship would provide Pakistani cyclists with an opportunity to compete against regional athletes on home soil while promoting cycling and Pakistan’s sporting image internationally.
The PCF said it would continue consultations with international organizations and local authorities to advance the proposal.
PCF Raises Concern Over Financial Constraints
The Pakistan Cycling Federation also highlighted financial challenges facing the organization of national cycling competitions.
According to the federation, the absence of an annual grant or other financial assistance from the Pakistan Sports Board has made it increasingly difficult to organize national-level events.
The 10th National Road Cycling Championship was made possible through financial assistance from HabibMetro Bank and cooperation from other supporting organizations.
Despite financial constraints, the PCF said it remains committed to providing competitive opportunities for national cyclists and developing the sport across the country.
