Qatar women’s cycling team coach Noura Al Amiri and officials with the award winners of the Cycle Her Way programme.
Doha, Qatar: As part of Qatar’s 2030 Vision to enhance women’s roles across various fields, especially in sports, Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation, in collaboration with Qatar Foundation, launched the ‘Cycle Her Way’ initiative in February. This initiative aims to empower women and encourage them to participate in cycling, thereby establishing a strong foundation for discovering female talents and preparing them for local, regional, and international competitions.
Since its launch on February 1, the initiative has achieved outstanding and unprecedented success. More than 252 women participated in various training sessions throughout the month. Additionally, the first-ever women’s cycling race was organized, witnessing an unprecedented turnout, reflecting the growing interest in women’s sports. The initiative has also raised awareness about the importance of cycling for women and attracted many talented riders who could potentially represent the national team in the future.
Regarding the training sessions, Qatar National women’s cycling team coach Noura Alomairi highlighted that the initiative included 12 diverse training sessions throughout the month, including four mountain biking sessions at Qatar Foundation tracks, four road cycling sessions and four indoor cycling sessions at Ox Fitness Center.
Coach Alomairi expressed her joy with the participation level in the initiative’s first edition, stating: “I am delighted with the number of participants we have reached in this inaugural edition. The enthusiasm and engagement exceeded our expectations. This marks a positive beginning for a dedicated women’s cycling community and will contribute to identifying and forming the Qatar women’s national cycling team, which will represent the country in international events. The Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation aims to expand and sustain this initiative by increasing the number of training programs, strengthening partnerships with sponsors for financial and logistical support, and launching talent development programs to refine skills and integrate promising athletes into the national team.”
Buthayna Al Khater, Community Events and Activities Specialist at Qatar Foundation, said: “We, at Qatar Foundation, are delighted to witness this sports initiative dedicated to women and girls, and to be part of these efforts to improve the overall health and fitness in the State of Qatar. This collaboration reiterates our commitment to creating safe spaces where women and girls can freely practice sports activities – which also plays a pivotal role in expanding their social networks. At Qatar Foundation, our aim is to increase women’s participation in sports and to raise a new generation of professional female players. We look forward to expanding our efforts in the long term by not only in making sports a part of women’s lifestyle, but also in supporting them to be active in their communities, and promoting an inclusive and supportive environment for all.”
It is worth noting that the total number of participants in this initiative reached 360 women, including 169 Qatari participants (46.94%) and 191 participants from other nationalities (53.06%).
During the closing ceremony and awards presentation, Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation President Eng. Abdulaziz Saud Al Tamimi extended his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the initiative. He acknowledged the efforts of the participants, partners, trainers, and organisers, whose dedication played a vital role in achieving this remarkable success.
He emphasised the Federation’s ongoing commitment to supporting women in cycling, encouraging more participation in future events, and reinforcing the idea that women are fully capable of excelling in this sport.
