Racing in Bangladesh was always considered a “men’s sport.” But last month, history was made, as one female racer rose against all odds. Kashfia Arfa, at merely 20 years of age, not only participated but also secured 6th position in an international racing competition. Held from 27-29 September in Vietnam, the second round of the Asian Auto Gymkhana Championship (AAGC) 2024 was a contest between racers from Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh, among other Asian countries. This was Bangladesh’s first participation in an Auto Gymkhana, and thanks to Kashfia’s brilliant efforts, it suffices to say that it won’t be the last.
Bold Beginnings
Kashfia said in an interview that she has been a motorsports fan since childhood. Staying updated on Formula 1 and GT Racing, her journey shifted from movies and games to the track. Beyond racing, Kashfia has always been active in sports. She is involved in the U-19 National Handball Team Federation and has played basketball and football in her alma mater, Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. However, her racing career only took off this year, which makes her achievement at the championship that much more admirable. She began driving in 2018. Her partner then encouraged her to pursue this professionally, and a friend introduced her to the AAB (Automobiles Association of Bangladesh) earlier this year.
The AAB is the national authority for motorsport and has been a member of FIA (Federation Internationale de l’ Automobile) since 1970. This means it issues FIA racing licenses, offers sponsorships and trains budding racers. Licensing is daunting because drivers need to undergo strenuous training and participate in 5 national competitions, followed by a simulation. After the license is secured, racers can compete internationally and represent Bangladesh. While Kashfia is not the country’s first female racer, she is the first to participate in an international FIA event.
The Moment of Truth
Mentored by racing veteran Avik Anwar, Kashfia joined the Gymkhana Championship as Bangladesh’s only female entry in solo and mixed doubles. She drove the BYD Seal, which was initially challenging because it was a left-hand drive. Additionally, players are given only 15 minutes to memorize the track configuration before their races. This is crucial since any mistake regarding this layout can result in penalties. In the face of pressure, Kashfia’s first solo lap was not her best, but she redeemed herself with her second and third laps. Winning against the Vietnamese and Malaysian participants, she earned 9th place. She attributes the setback in her initial lap to her nervousness. It was her debut, while everyone around her was heavily experienced and significantly older.
Nonetheless, she did not face any time penalties– a remarkable feat. In their mixed doubles stint, Kashfia and partner Rasel Rahman came 6th in a race of 11 since she had become accustomed to the track layout by then. She admitted later that she would have performed better had she taken sufficient preparation.
Drifting into the Future
AAB’s Director of Sport, Syed Aharul Hossain, agrees that Kashfia has obtained vital experience through this AAGC, which he hopes will inspire the national motorsport team. However, there is always scope for improvement, and in Kashfia’s case, he believes two areas need particular focus—effective recollection of the track layout and evaluation of other contestants’ performance.
Kashfia herself believes this contest has assisted her in preparing for the FIA Motorsport Games, to be held in Spain at the end of October.
Additionally, she is taking part in the Malaysian Festival of Speed from 19 to 20 October. The AAB is determined that this exposure to the “Malaysian Grand Prix” will lay the groundwork for her to tackle competitors from 85 countries later this month.
While Kashfia has had to overcome many obstacles to reach this height, she is confident the future holds brighter prospects and more significant opportunities, beginning with the Motorsport event in Spain. Keeping her personal achievement aside, she wishes to remain a beacon of hope for all Bangladeshi girls hesitant to follow their passions. Few women are actively engaged in motorsports in Bangladesh because of societal judgment and a lack of need for more information. She aims to motivate these people and challenge the status quo. The racer has faced much negativity herself, growing through the mindless criticism. She has had to work relentlessly in a male-dominated field to make her mark. Now, she takes no pressure and only strives to realize her dreams. Ultimately, she wants to represent Bangladesh globally and make her people proud. She’s already done it once, so motorsport fans are now closely following this young trailblazer’s journey with high expectations.
