Abdullah launches all-women racing academy with TVS

Abdullah, who has had a successful career in both two and four wheels, was recently appointed as the Indian representative for women in motorcycling by the FIM.

For the last few months, she’s been travelling to different colleges in search of India's next generation female racers.

The 80 short-listed candidates were put through a series of vigorous tests to examine their physical fitness and skills.

In the end, 18 riders were selected to become part of India’s first women-only racing team. Each of them will ride for TVS in the National Motorcycle Championship, with the Indian manufacturer also providing extensive technical support to the selected few.

“I went to colleges and got girls registered for the academy,’’ Abdullah told Motorsport.com earlier this year.

"So I have the best girl riders in India. We have bikes for the girls on which they can practice and I train them individually,'' she added.

Arvind Pangaonkar, Head, TVS Racing Team said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Alisha Abdullah Racing Academy for Women and believe this initiative will help create opportunities for women racers in India."

"TVS Racing is strongly committed to promote two-wheeler racing in India and generate interest and improve support for the sport in India."

Although motor racing is itself a niche sport in India, participation of females is even more elusive.

Abdullah hopes the sex-ratio in Indian motorsport will change following the launch of her academy and team.

List of riders: