RIP Imran Akuji The Pillar of Mozambican Cycling

This morning I got this email from a friend in Maputo, Mozambique

Dear Martin

I write to you with very sad news. Our dear friend Imran passed away today, he was hit by a car while riding his bike near Boane. It happened after a race, he was riding alone a car hit him violently. We believe he did not have a painful death. The funeral will be today. As you know, he was Muslim. I m very sorry that I bring these news. I know you were very close to him.
Kind regards

Danilo

Imran was the pillar of strength of cycling in Mozambique. One of the kindest and loving people you could ever meet. He used to keep me amused as we rode the hot rough roads of his country with his running Phil and Paul commentaries such as the one below.

He was on the the stalwarts that kept this small but important race seen going. As you can see on that web site we used to travel a bit to race in Mozambique and there is a reference to the 2004 Tour of Eden where Imran was my roommate.

Ciclistas Moçmbicanos até a data venham competindo na vizinha Africa do Sul em grandes eventos como a Rapport Tour de Eden onde foi formada uma equipe Internacional Moz/Expro por Imran Akuji, João Rodrigues, Paulo Sales, o Americano Timothy Born, o Británico Anthony Walker dirigidos pelo o Australiano Dr. Martin Hardie.

Cyclists Moçmbicanos to date compete in neighboring South Africa in big events such as the Rapport Tour de Eden where a team was formed International Moz / Expro by Imran Akuji, John Roberts, Paul Sales, American Timothy Born, and the Brit Anthony Walker, directed  by the Australian Dr. Martin Hardie.

Some more details came through the following day:

Imran’s funeral was held Sunday night as, according to his religion, it must be held the same day of his passing.

Last night there was talk of organising a memorial ride out to Boane.  Currently the idea is to go out to where the accident took place Saturday morning, although details still need to be ironed out as there was also talk of having the media present so that we can highlight the safety issues faced by cyclists.  Timing will be shared once we can co-ordinate the relevant parties.

As for the accident – yesterday started at 7:30 with the 17km time trial race to Namaacha from Mandevo (where the hill starts).  By 9am we’d all finished at the top and were chatting and tallying results and getting a breather.  We then went our separate ways, some electing to cycle around namaacha, others driving home while Imran and Abilio cycled back from Namaacha to Boane with Messias in the back up vehicle together with Imran’s son Yazid and some other cyclists.

At Boane the support car had to stop for some business while Imran pressed on ahead alone.  He was hit by an oncomming car near the Umbeluzi water treatment plant, a few km’s out of Boane. A mercedes overtook another vehicle and slammed straight into him without apparently breaking.  The overtaken vehicle apparently had had to chase down the offending motorist to stop him.  The first one to the scene was Paulo Sales, who was also cycling in that area and was warned by a passing motorist of the accident and reached Imran within a few minutes.  However there was nothing to do for Imran, who most certainly died on impact.

Mario Traversi a member of the Clube de Ciclismo de Moçambique has also written this blog post.

Mario writes:

Later that evening at the funeral his son asked us with a bewildered face “who is going to remind me to use the small ring when I’m pedalling into the wind…??”.

Imran did so much for cycling, organising the races and now the Federation, and was well on the way to preparing the Mozambique cycling team for the African Games.

He leaves a wonderful wife, Salma and lovely kids.

May Allah grant you Jannat and care for your family always my friend.

“What a bunch.This is a select group of riders in the breakaway. Everyone who is someone is right up there. I think things may get nasty as we approach the Rio climb Phil”

“Well I must agree with you there, Paul”

Paul – “But at the moment at the front, Jim Leggatt is out there setting the pace on the flats at +40km/hr into a strong head win as we head into the climb and I have a feeling Duncan Wyness will take over just before the climb as the speed drops to 27km/hr on the climb. But that speed will not remain there for long as Duncan is a powerful climber and that speed will go right back up to +30km/hr which will hurt a lot of riders leaving them scurrying for wheels. And as I speak riders are beginning to pop off the back.”

Phil – “This is definitely going down to the wire. Riders are trying to come up to the front before the foot of the climb but that isn’t an easy feat as the wind is blowing very hard from the front. I am not sure what’s going on inside that man’s mind right there in the front setting the pace …”

Paul – “Well I can tell you that right now … he is trying to concentrate as the wind tries to blow it all away … he legs are building up with lactic acid and pain … but he won’t dare slow down or he will fade right back and be spat out the back.”

Phil –“Ok now we are beginning the climb and an attack is coming from Arnold Schwarze … ooops he’s not a cyclist”

Paul –“Definitely not but Paulo has taken up the pace making, pushing the wind out of the way, clearing a path with all his power and mass, pop Imran is getting dropped, he is slipping from third and is now last wheel. Wait a minute he’s coming back right up beside Paulo. This is getting interesting, Everyone that is someone is now showing that they are there and they won’t be intimidated by any attacks. Pace is now being set by Tim.”

Phil –“Yes Paul, they are all there Jim, Duncan, Tim, Imran, Danilo, Paulo, Martin, Carlos, Peet, Dave, young Tim, Richard, newcomer Werner, Joao yes this is a select group of riders and today is their day. They are all strong. Those who aren’t have long popped off at with 220km to go out of the total 210km” (good hey eh eh eh)

Back to the race …..