President�s cycling challenge targets P1.5m

Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday August 23, 2017 15:20

BCA president, Mmetla Masire (on the bike), LOC chairperson, Reikeletseng (left) and Private secretary to the President, Brigadier George Tlhalerwa PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE

LOC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng told a press briefing yesterday that the funds raised would be given to the President’s trust. He said the event would be used to build capacity for the Botswana Cycling Association (BCA).

“I have been informed by BCA president that they have a lot of deficiencies when it comes to capacity. Cycling does not have timing equipment, a monitoring vehicle, enough bicycles to give to cyclists when they have events and proper offices to run operations. Once we have built this structure well, we are able to capacitate them to become a world class association,” he said.

He said the annual charity challenge should fit into the sport tourism structure. Reikeletseng said the event should be used to lobby government to develop roads that have cycling routes. He said many cyclists have perished from road accidents due to the way roads have been designed. Private secretary to the president, Brigadier George Tlhalerwa said the event, which started last year, had one sponsor.

He said participation was high and this year the aim is to make it bigger. The event head of technical, Tlamelo Dube said the route has been identified and the stage is set for next weekend. He said the challenge is open to everyone. Dube said professional cyclists from outside the country are expected to attend.

The race is divided into different categories being the 112km (main event both men and women), 112km (Under 23 men only), 60km (juniors), 30km and 10km. He said registration is done at Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) offices and all bicycle shops.

The deadline for the registration is September 1. Registration fee is P200 across all events. Prize money: P10,000 (overall winner both men and women), P3,000 for the first Motswana who arrives first. Dube said cyclists are only allowed to ride in one category only.

The LOC: Mosarwa Molema, Tumie Ramsden, Shadrak Kapeko, Jagdish Shah, Joshua Mogotsi and Tebatso Hule.