Palestine: Trained, female racers ready to compete against men

The British Council and the Palestine Motorsports Federation wrapped-up its two-day training for women racers in Ramallah on Sunday, with new faces joining the ranks of Palestinian racing, as women prepare to compete against their male rivals on 26 June.

Samia Khoury, a mother with two children from Jerusalem, said her husband, racing trainer Bishara Khoury had "encouraged me to race many times, but now, I feel able to compete with other women on the track."

The training, hosted by professional British race car trainer Helen Elstrop, was geared toward improving Palestinian women racers' skills and technique in the sport, and saw nine women racers participate.

New to the sport, Hamameh Jorban, 30, and a member of the Palestinian football team Jiser Az-Zarqa in northern Israel said she had previously only been a fan, supporting racer Nour Daod from the stands. "Now, I will compete with all," she said.

Racer Betty Sa'adeh, who recently took time out from the sport, said "I didn't have the chance to train; I could only do it on my weekends, but now, I'm back on the track." Achieving high scores throughout the training, Sa'adeh ranked among the top three at the end of trials.

The sportswomen were briefed on regulations, professional racing, and how to become a high-ranking racer.

Palestinian Championship winner George Sa'adeh, from Bethlehem, also offered training but was the only male racer in attendance. Greatly encouraged by Elstrop, Sa'adeh said the workshop was "an excellent move" and called for wider training opportunities for both men and women. "Helen was wonderful, and she's been a coach and a racer for 17 years, and is married to a racer!" Sa'adeh said.

Karen Maluskie, who heads the British racing project in Palestine, said the women's team would have a separate budget for race car maintenance, and are studying the possibility of brining in another car for the racers.

She added that Suna Oweida from Jerusalem was appointed captain of the women's team, while Bishara Khoury, also from Jerusalem, was named official coach and mechanic.

"We encourage the establishment of a Palestinian state, and it needs to have a good image, a better understanding and view of Palestine, and especially of Palestinian women," Maluskie said.

"When I came to Palestine and saw women racing, I thought it was a great project and sport to encourage that gives women a chance to express themselves and prove they are not ignored or marginalized," she added.