Saba Reshi paving way for women in Kashmir’s male-dominated motorsports

In a remarkable defiance of societal norms, Saba Reshi has emerged as a trailblazing car racer in the Kashmir valley, shattering stereotypes and inspiring a new trend of passion pursuit.
Last year, Saba made headlines by participating in the first-ever Auto-X race held in Srinagar, where she not only competed against the odds but also secured many awards across different categories. Her significant achievement included completing a 1.5 km curvy track in less than a minute in the ‘race against time’ category.
Hailing from Peer Bagh locality in Srinagar and working as a digital banker, Saba Reshi shared her exhilarating experience, stating, “It was incredible, one of its kind, and an experience to cherish for a lifetime. I clearly remember the roar of engines, adrenaline-pumping races, and competitive streaks on the racing track which will stay with me for a lifetime.”
“We have never seen motorsports in Kashmir. This is for the first time in the valley that these kinds of races are now being organised. The first one that I participated in was “Women-only Auto-cross” organised by JKMSF which indeed was a groundbreaking and empowering event, showcasing the talents and skills of female drivers in the traditionally male-dominated world of motorsports,” she said.
Saba’s dedication and skill set her apart, leading her to secure the top position in the open category and 3rd in class in the Valley Autocross 2023. Her success, along with other female car racers in the valley, is setting an inspiring trend for aspiring women.
Reflecting on the groundbreaking event, Saba emphasized the importance of such races, especially for women in a traditionally male-dominated world of motorsports. “We have never seen Motorsports in Kashmir. This is for the first time in the valley that these kinds of races are now being organized,” she noted.
Saba believes that car racing is a high-octane sport that combines speed, precision, and strategy, offering enthusiasts a thrilling experience. “My love for sports pushed me into this unexplored arena,” she added.
While acknowledging that motorsports have been male-dominated, Saba highlighted the recent increase in female participation, challenging gender norms. She urged women to pursue their dreams, stating, “Believe in yourself, chase your dreams and you are just as capable as anyone else.”
Sharing her further experiences of the thrilling endeavour Saba said, “There was a pre-event drive briefing session headed by Women Motorsports President Sita Raina and All India Top Female Racer Aman Jubbal along with Muskaan Jubbal. We started with some exercises (neck, shoulders and warmup) then they walked us through the track, post that the cars were scrutinized and checked thoroughly. Then the cars along with the female drivers were lined up with the Race Card and eventually history was created on the tracks of Kashmir.”
Adding: “ Let women have a dream and pursue it with all the passion and zeal. Though we live in a patriarchal set up where certain things are expected from a specific gender and we are being judged to break stereotypes but I would still say “believe in yourself”, you are just as capable as anyone else.”
Looking ahead, Saba Reshi is determined to participate in more races, aiming to reach new heights and inspire every woman to believe in themselves, chase their dreams, and turn them into reality.