Tunisian female biker breaks gender barrier

2009-03-04

Tunisian champion biker Hamida Saklaoui created her country's first association for female motorcyclists. "It's a dream coming true," one fan said.

By Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Tunis—04/03/09

[Jamel Arfaoui] Tunisian female motorcyclist Hamida Saklaoui hopes to attract more women to the sport.

A Tunisian woman has defied stereotypes by driving into a predominately masculine domain -- on a motorcycle.

On Wednesday (February 25), Tunisian motorcycling champion Hamida Saklaoui announced a first for the Arab world: the Association of Female Motorcyclists.

"Many girls who are enthusiastic about driving motorcycles called me to create a club for women in order to train and prepare them for local and international races,'" said Saklaoui - one of the few female motorcyclists in the region.

Saklaoui has won several awards and medals in motorcycles rallies. She has also served as an observer in many rallies. She is getting ready to take part in the adventure anew, through Tunisia's "Olbia Rally" that kicks off in April.

"It’s a dream come true," said Dorra Laouati, who loves motorcycles. "Tunisian women have entered all fields, and it’s unjust to deny them the chance to take part in the adventure of driving motorcycles."

Tunisian women have participated in car rallies in the past, including international ones. And although there are many motorcyclists clubs in Tunisia, they have always been restricted to men.

Saklaoui said that the association would be funded through fees from members, support from the ministry of youth and sports, as well as private enterprises through advertising. The association will also offer a six-month training program for women who want to participate in future rallies.

"We shall raise the bar and will achieve results that will surprise everyone," she said. To be eligible for rallies, the association requires the trainee to be at least 18 year old.

The training program will start in May. The association will also help women who are interested to train and qualify for motorcycle driver's license.

One obstacle new female motorcyclists will face is the high prices of the machine. A motorcycle can go up to 30,000 Tunisian dinars.

"I don’t think that a girl from a poor neighbourhood, even if she is enthusiastic about this sport and has the ability to become a star, will be able to own a motorcycle and pay the expenses of races," said Najah ben Said. That is why, she added, she is not interested in this sport. "It’s a sport for the rich only."

But Saklaoui said that the association had already considered this factor, and would provide motorcycles for those who cannot afford it.

"I don’t think we’ll turn a blind eye to this category that can give us high calibre champions," Saklaoui said. "To that end, we will help them obtain a motorcycle from the ones the club will set aside for its members, and we will only require them to attend training on a regular basis."

The association is already drawing support from sports associations in the region and government entities, Saklaoui said. "I personally found support from my mother, who is enthusiastic about races, and also from male and female friends in our field and outside it. This is in addition to major encouragements from local and [international] sports authorities."

The association will launch a campaign to encourage female motorcyclists to join and benefit from the new body. A website has been created to promote the initiative and provide information about the sport. Saklaoui said she would contact motorcycles female fans in the Maghreb to urge them to create local clubs and exchange experience and host races.

"We have to wait and see if they can raise up to the challenge," said Mounir ben Miled, who is a fan of motorcycle races. "It will be really interesting when you see a competition between the two genders. I’m sure there will be surprises. The Tunisian woman, as I know, is very stubborn."