DUSHANBE, April 3, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Two Tajiks – 25-year-old teacher from Tajik Technical University Alisher Khoushvakhtov and 27-year-old German teacher from Dushanbe’s school # 28 Said Azizov – plan to make a multi-country cycling tour.

Alisher Khoushvakhtov told Asia-Plus that thy will start their cycling trip from Dushanbe’s Dousti (Friendship) Square on April 20.

“We plan to travel on bicycles some 14,000 kilometers around 13 countries,” said Khoushvakhtov, “Thus, our itinerary includes Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Astana (Kazakhstan), Moscow (Russia), Minsk (Belarus), Kiev and Odessa in Ukraine, the Russian cities of Krasnodar, Grozny and Makhachkala, Baku (Azerbaijan), Tabriz,, Tehran and Mashhad in Iran, Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Samarqand (Uzbekistan) and through Panjakent back to Dushanbe.”

Cyclists have not yet found sponsors for the trip despite numerous appeals.  Only Tajik cellular operator, Babilon-M, has promised to provide them with communications means.

According to Khoushvakhtov, they are currently conducting negotiations with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Tajikistan.  “The head of state himself heads the NOC and we hope for his support,” he said.