Bangladesh
Kashfia Arfa Makes History as Bangladesh’s First Female Racer in an International FIA Event. Kashfia Arfa shattered records last month by becoming the first female racer from Bangladesh to compete in an international FIA motorsport competition. The 20-year-old participated in the Asia Auto Gymkhana Championship 2024, held in Vietnam from September 27-29, making a groundbreaking debut on September 28.
The Automobile Association of Bangladesh (AAB), the country’s official motorsport authority, confirmed her historic achievement. Syed Ahrarul Hossain, the AAB’s director of sport, expressed pride in Kashfia’s performance, stating, “Kashfia is the first Bangladeshi woman to compete in an international FIA motorsport event.”
Founded in 1953, the AAB has been a member of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) since 1970 and is responsible for issuing FIA racing licenses to Bangladeshi drivers.
Kashfia holds the AAB’s highest-grade National Race Licence, a distinction she shares with only one other female racer, Tanzila Mahbub, who holds a junior license.
A Groundbreaking Journey in Motorsport
Kashfia competed in both the female solo and mixed doubles categories of Auto Gymkhana, a demanding motorsport discipline similar to Auto Slalom in Europe. Despite being at least 10 years younger and less experienced than her rivals, Kashfia showed remarkable determination throughout the event.
“I was very nervous during the first lap,” Kashfia told the Dhaka Tribune. “We received the track layout just 15 minutes before the race and had to memorize it. Everyone else had 10 to 20 years of experience, which made it much easier for them.”
After a challenging start, Kashfia bounced back with a solid performance, completing the event without receiving any time penalties—an achievement that distinguished her from many competitors. She secured ninth place in the female solo category, defeating racers from Malaysia and Vietnam.
In the mixed doubles, Kashfia partnered with Rasel Rahman. With newfound experience driving the BYD car, they displayed impressive pace, finishing sixth out of 11 teams, surpassing teams from more experienced countries.
A Pioneering Role in Bangladeshi Motorsport
Kashfia’s participation marks a turning point in the motorsport landscape of Bangladesh, inspiring future generations of female racers. National motorsport team captain Avik Anwar acknowledged Kashfia’s trailblazing journey, stating, “There were three female racers before, but they didn’t have licenses. Kashfia is the first to obtain one and compete internationally.”
Bangladesh’s previous female participants, such as Syeda Shirhana Haque and Maeesha Zarin Khan, had competed in the Nitol-Tata Rallycross Championships in 2014 and 2015, where Shirhana emerged victorious. However, Kashfia is the first to take the country’s female racing ambitions to the international stage.
Upcoming Challenges and New Aspirations
Kashfia’s next challenge lies in Spain, where she will represent Bangladesh at the FIA Motorsport Games later this month. Team captain Avik, manager Asif Hossain, and coach Affan Sadat—Bangladesh’s second-highest FIA license holder—will accompany her in a fierce competition against 85 nations across four events.
As part of her preparation, Kashfia plans to race at the Malaysian Festival of Speed on October 17. Meanwhile, other female racers, including Tanazzul Ayman Purny and Tanzila Mahbub, are in training to carry forward the momentum Kashfia has created, with Tanzila already holding a junior national racing license.
“Kashfia and Tanzila have both worked extremely hard to compete at this level, often racing against men and boys,” noted Ahrarul. He added that several younger girls, including one as young as 15 years old, have participated in national competitions and are now working toward earning their racing licenses.
Reflecting on the Gymkhana competition, the AAB director identified two critical areas for improvement: track memorization and analyzing opponents’ performance. With more racing experience, he believes Kashfia and her teammates will continue to grow and thrive on the international stage.
“The experience Kashfia gained in Vietnam will be invaluable for her participation alongside the rest of the national motorsport team,” Ahrarul concluded.
Kashfia’s inspiring journey is not only a milestone for Bangladeshi motorsport but also a symbol of how determination and hard work can break barriers and open new doors for future athletes.
