"I have been a member of the cycling team for the past 3 years, and I had a lot of competitions in Kabul and outside, but for some reason each time when I was close to the finishing line I would fall of the bike or go unconscious. Before each match, I would go for biking everyday for hours, and I would come back home all fine and happy and ready for the match but during the match only a few steps from the finishing line something would hold me back and I am still trying to figure out what that was?
I surely believe that the fact behind "me not winning" was not that I am not strong or I can't do, not at all. However, sometimes I think it was the thoughts of society about me, or the fact that I am a girl and and everyone is criticizing me, or the fact that "once I finish the match I would be listening to all the B******t from my own people again".
Zhala Sarmast is an extra ordinary 16 years old Afghan girl who is in grade 11 at school, she plays guitar, she is working as a creative producer for a web-TV show (Conversations with Zalasht), she is studying German in Goethe institute and she also is a member of National Cycling team. Like her other teammates Zhala is also suffering from the hardship that her society gives her, only because she is riding a bike because she likes it.
Zhala's last competition took place 2 days ago where she got the 2nd position, it was a dream come true for her.
"2 days ago, I had a competition and like always, a couple of days before the match I went out for biking to get ready for the competition, a part from all the hardship I faced while riding my bike in the streets, I was also thinking "Maybe I should just go back home because I am not going to win, I may fall of the bike or go unconscious again...
But no, it was different this time, while only 10 miters away from the finishing line, I was nervous, I was afraid and I was waiting to go unconscious or fall of the bike, but I ended up just fine, a couple of seconds later, I was about to pass the finishing line and get the first position, but that fact that I made it to that point was unbelievable for me, I thought I was dreaming. I slowed down my bike and looked back when Masoma (my teammate) quickly passed by and I was like "F*** I have to paddle" that is when I started moving again and got the 2nd position in my previews match. I feel beyond happy, not just for my self but also for all of those friends who always support me and always encouraged me to continue. Thank you Mom, lala Mohammad and thanks, Thanks Robin my supporter/ friend from abroad, Thanks Shanon, the spirit of our team and thanks to all of those who have been supporting me and because of whom I am today.
A few weeks ago I had another match in Bamyian province, I was very excited and ready to win but I went unconscious around 7 miters before the finishing line, I still have nightmares about that, and I am very sorry because I didn't win. I am sorry to so many people, to my mother, who allowed me to go to the competition and heard so many negative comments for allowing me to ride bike, I am sorry to my brother/ best friend "Mohammad Ansari" who was always there for me and it was his dream that I win. But I am happy today for succeeding what I couldn't succeed during a long amount of time, and I am sure that I will go further, I will never stop, I will continue dreaming and I will continue making my dreams come true with the support from all of you".
Afghanistan today, is not the best place for women to live in, but people like Zhala might be the image of Afghanistan's bright future.
"Dream big and then make it come true"
-Zhala
