Annual Bike Race 2008 – All regions stand united to Say No to Drugs:

As seen witnessed in the previous years, this year again Afghanistan showed tremendous evolution in the society when people joined hands to cheer the participants of Bike Race being held in Kabul on 25th April 2008.

This catalyst of change was brought forward by one persons vision Mr. Ehsan Bayat, Chairman of Bayat Foundation. When many were skeptical about it he was strong in his belief and the dream he had.

The dream was to organize races in all major regions where people would run to Say No to Drugs, Yes to Peace and Unity & Let’s Create a Green Afghanistan together. To show the entire world that even in a tough situation, the Afghan people can get together and show their spirit of resilience and will power. The true Afghan spirit!

The planning and execution for the idea involved over 600 people from Bayat Foundation and Afghan Wireless collectively in each event and it considered all aspects including security, management, food/refreshments and pre-event activities for this Mega Event of the Year which people eagerly wait for.

The pre-event activities included campaigning on Ariana Television Network (ATN & FM 93.5) and BTL which includes Posters, Outdoors to excite people to come participate in this mega event. Approximately 1500 registration forms were received out of which first 1200 participants were selected for the race.

As done in the previous years the Bike Race is held in Kabul on 25th April, 2008 and received tremendous response from the people of Kabul. The race will be flagged off from Darulaman Palace and ended at Paghman. The 27 Km stretch tested the will power of all the participants coming from all age groups, approx.16 to 40 years. An overwhelming crowd of nearly 15-20,000 persons were physically present to watch the participant’s race.

Event was organized by Bayat Foundation, Afghan Wireless, media partners were Ariana Television Network, FM 93.5 in collaboration with sponsors like Coca Cola and Afghanistan International Bank (AIB). Sponsors supported the cause with their products and cash prizes at the event. Total prize money of 200,000/-Af was distributed in cash and gifts worth 100,000/-Af were distributed between the winners and participants by Mr. Ehsan Bayat, Chairman Bayat Foundation & Afghan Wireless. Apart from this there were 50 bicycles ere given to the first 50 contestants.

Sponsors contribution was over 200,000/-Af comprising of cash and gifts for the participants. This corporate participation shows the popularity of the event and the commitment of the corporate sector in promoting socially relevant messages like ours,“Say No to Drugs”.

In his speech at the event Mr. Ehsan Bayat, Chairman Bayat Foundation & Afghan Wireless quoted that “We feel that it’s our corporate social responsibility and duty to create awareness about the socially relevant messages like Say No to Drugs”. He added by saying that “Today when we look around us we can observe a lot of suffering, anger, pain and frustration with in us. We need to ensure that our nation does not resort to taking drugs as a means to alleviate their sufferings. By organizing these kinds of events we make sure that we promote this drug menace and embark together on a journey of solidarity and togetherness to combat this collectively”.

Every one present witnessed the excitement, thrill, joy, happiness and above all the feeling of harmony in the city which have been rocked by the insecurity in the past. Leaflets were distributed and dropped from the helicopter amongst people, promoting the Bike Race cause which added cheers to the crowd. Every kilometer was marked and had a AWCC stall where Coke, water, glucose and biscuits were available to be provided to the runners as well as to the crowd present there cheering the runners with small flags of the race cause in their hands.

It was seen that the participants came not only from Kabul but from nearby cities too. All of them rode while wearing T-Shirts, Caps and carrying small Towels gifted by Bayat Foundation and Afghan Wireless.

In the post event activities each Bike Race story was aired by Ariana TV and FM 93.5 Radio on the countries largest network the very next day of the event. In addition, all other print media also published about this mega event as news report.

Through this event excitement, thrill, joy and happiness were witnessed here in Kabul which brought the whole country together and with one voice and “Say No to Drugs”.

About Afghan Wireless “An Afghan Company, By Afghans, For Afghans”

Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC), headquartered in Kabul, is the largest private investor in Afghanistan. Afghan Wireless is also the largest employer of Afghans in Afghanistan, employing approximately 3,000 people directly and another 30,000 indirectly. AWCC is a leader in delivering wireless and broadband communication solutions to residential and business customers. The company has a strong reputation for philanthropy, supporting charitable organizations, assisting orphans, women, hunger relief and education through its own efforts and in conjunction with the Bayat Foundation (www.bayatfoundation.org).

Additional information about Afghan Wireless and the products and services provided is available at www.afghan-wireless.com.