For Samar Khan no challenge is daunting for she takes on challenges with a combination of her adventurous spirit, determination, pride and passion for cycling.
Her latest achievement came this past week when Khan bicycled to the roof of Africa – Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
“As Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak and a dormant volcano so it seemed the best target for me to ride my bicycle on,” she told media upon completion of her latest first – the first by a Pakistani woman.
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano with three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira and with its snow-capped peea towers 5,895 metres above sea level.
With each achievement, Khan, who hails from Khas Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, makes a point – about the talent of Pakistanis and women.
“I wanted to take the green flag at a global level to show the world what Pakistanis are capable of,” she told the media.
“And to show them that not just our boys but our girls are also risk-takers,” she added.
Samar, now 27, has also the distinction of being the first woman in the world to have cycled on the 4,500-meter-high Biafo glacier in Gilgit-Baltistan – one of the largest snow-covered areas.
She also wants to draw international attention to Pakistan’s tourism potential.
All along, she also expresses gratitude to millions of well-wishers.
“With all your prayers & best wishes, successfuly scaled #KIBO (Uhuru Peak) & rode on it all the way to #MoshiGate” she wrote in a Facebook post.
The Tanzanian Tourism Department has awarded Samar with a certificate for climbing the mountain.
The athlete is also thankful to Pakistan Army, which sponsored her Tanzanian campaign.
The Pakistani media outlets have been celebrating her unique story of daring adventures and many cycling achievements.
But it is her spirit to succeed and take on the challenges that stands out as inspiration for many girls and women in the country.
“That’s how you #Grow & that’s how you #challenge #Fears !!” she wrote under a post which encourages people not be fearful but go and confront fears and challenges.
PHOTOS: Courtesy Samar Khan Facebook Page
