Born and raised in an orthodox Muslim family in Kozhikode, Fazeela Uppilathodi never in her wildest dreams thought that she would become a rally rider. "I never had the dream of becoming a racer but I was always fascinated with bike stunts and just wanted to ride a bike in my life." It was her chance meeting with Kochi's popular biker crew CoG racing who motivated her to sharpen her biking skills. Now, this bike racer-cum-fitness trainer is planning to start a bike racing academy for women soon.
“There are many women from our state who have an interest in racing, but lack of proper racing tracks often discourages them to explore this motorsport. When I started racing, I also found problems practising bike racing as there were only a few places where I could practise. There was one ground in Kochi where I would practise, but locals started complaining about the dust and I had to stop,” says Fazeela. This 29-year-old fitness trainer is on a mission to encourage more girls to take up bike racing. “There are many women who ride bikes but only few venture into racing tracks. I am not concerned about being a woman bike rider but its all about being true to the sport,” said Fazeela who has also subject to stereotypical roles thrust upon women.
It was however after meeting Jose Sebastian, CoG's team manager that motivated her to sharpen her biking skills and embrace this motor sport. “After finishing first in the regional mud-race at North Paravur, I started training for the MRF's National Rally Championship 2017 at Baroda and Indore. It was CoG racing's ace trainer Vishnu V V, who encouraged me to spend more time in the workshop and also told me the technical things which helped me to finish the rally,” says Fazeela.
Fazeela is one of the first women from Kerala for competing at the Raid De Himalaya, the flagship rally of the country's premier motorsport club, a Shimla-based Himalayan Motorsport which was held last year. It is considered one of the most difficult motorsport rally. “ it was a very difficult rally and I completed the race in my TVS Apache RTR 200. Although I didn't have much funds to participate in the rally, my friends encouraged and I was able to participate in the rally and also win it,” said Fazeela.
Besides working as a fitness trainer and is also skilled in yoga and meditation techniques. She has a five-year-old daughter, Isha Finha. Presently Fazeela is working as a fitness trainer in Kochi and planning to open a gym too.
