The Afghan Warriors Pursuing Their Olympic Dreams

We are the Warriors, three young female Afghan cyclists who had to flee persecution, just because we love sport. In our home country Afghanistan, it is a crime, for girls to cycle. Since the Taliban take over, in August 2021.

Girls are forbidden to play sport or to continue their education. We can no longer walk alone, without a male chaperone. Even to buy a loaf of bread we must cover our faces, only revealing our eyes. One day our country was civilised the next day – not! The Taliban have removed all women’s basic rights. Sadly, we had to leave our families behind which was a very sad day for us. We arrived in the United Kingdom in late, October 2022. As refugees we spent one year in hiding, fearing for our lives.

In November we started re-training as professional cyclists under the guidance of our coach James Hey of 'The Cycle Coach.’ We train six days a week and learn English in our spare time with great support from the charity 'Help Children Now’ who campaigned for our freedom and resettlement in the UK.

We are asking for your help! To rebuild and shape our lives as competitive athletes. The next step is to raise funding to enter professional international cycling championships.

We are asking for your help! To rebuild and shape our lives as competitive athletes. The next step is to raise funding to enter professional international cycling championships. To do this we have set up an online auction “The Warriors Fundraising Event.” All proceeds raised will help us reach our goal to enter the Olympic Qualifier in June. ‘The 2023 Asian Road Cycling Championships – Women’s Time-Trial - held in Rayong Thailand.’

Our ultimate dream is to enter the Paris Olympics in 2024. 

Find out more about our journey here.