In October last year, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) participated in the evacuation of 125 Afghan citizens, including members of the cycling community, from their country. Among those welcomed to the UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle, Switzerland, was Benafsha Faizi, part of the Afghanistan Cycling Federation’s media team and former media officer and spokesperson for the Afghanistan Olympic Committee.
Now living in the Swiss city of Montreux with her husband and expecting a child, Benafsha Faizi talks to us on International Day of Sport for Peace and Development.
How have your first six months in Switzerland been?
Benafsha Faizi: It’s not an easy choice to leave the country where you were raised, have loved ones and family to start life somewhere else where everything is different. But when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, it was the repetition of a dark story for all women who were banned from school, university, work and sport. When the women cyclists left Afghanistan to come to Switzerland, they were incredibly happy to come to a safe country and have the chance and freedom to ride their bikes again and fulfil their dreams.
How important is sport for international understanding?
BF: With Afghanistan Olympic, I was responsible for developing media content and publishing sports news, as well as organising media workshops for different Federations. My last experience was at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where I covered the competitions.
We live in a world where there is discrimination, war and inequality. But since working with Afghanistan Olympic, I have witnessed that it is sport that brings people together regardless of their colour, religion or ethnicity. I have seen it encourage gender equality and give women the same rights as men.
Was this also the case in Afghanistan?
BF: Although people in Afghanistan are affected by war, I was constantly witnessing how sport made athletes happy. I think sport is a way to help people to face adversity. This is true for spectators who watch their favourite sport and support and encourage athletes. It is also true for the sportspeople who have the opportunity to succeed and live a great experience.
The UCI World Cycling Centre is now preparing to welcome athletes from Ukraine. This is another example of solidarity from the sporting world…
BF: I feel bad for people who suffer from war and lose their homeland and I feel a deep connection with the Ukrainians because I also come from a war-torn country. I appreciate the efforts of the UCI in welcoming us all and am happy that cyclists from Ukraine will be able to ride their bikes in a peaceful country like Switzerland. It would be lovely to see Afghans and Ukrainians cycling together to forget the pain of the past.
What is your message to people in times of suffering?
BF: I would encourage them to keep practising their sport, even if they are no longer in their familiar surroundings. It is important for mental health and to unite people with a common passion.
People who have lived in war situations and flee their country suffer from long term psychological harm. Playing sports makes people happier and less stressed. It boosts mental health. Sport provides opportunities regardless of differences. It helps people forget suffering and pain and enjoy moments together.