Poly cycle race on the cards

ORGANISERS of the Nedbank Polytechnic Cycle race are aiming to reach an entry mark of at least 1 000 cyclists when the event is expected to take centre stage on July 30 this year.

In the inaugural race last year, at least 650 people took part in the race which is hugely regarded as a fun and family affair. This year, Nedbank, which serves as the main sponsor, gave N$30 000 towards the hosting of the event, while several other sponsors also came on board to make it a success.At a race presentation this week, Rector of the Polytechnic, Tjama Tjivikua said cycling is a fast growing sport in the country and felt that the institution gives an opportunity to people to improve their health through cycling.He commended the sponsors for their contribution for this year, saying that he hoped more will come on board, while he would want to see an improvement in terms of monetary value from the main sponsors.NedbankŽs group marketing and communications manager Pangwa Gabriel said with the race in July, Namibia is joining Europe in terms of timing.šIn Europe, its cycling season and soon we will be watching the progress of the the Tour de France, which to cycling is what Fifa World Cup is to football in terms of global popularity,š he said.He said Nedbank, which also has its annual Cycle Tour, wants aims to make cycling one of the biggest sports in the country and the bank has intentions of developing it to the fullest.He said Namibia has striking attractions and should place itself on the world wide web like Morocco and South Africa from which are said to be thoroughly promoted in terms of the sport.”Why should Namibia lose out in this regard ? We ask the question because our social investment focus on projects that result in a positive contribution to the economy,” he said.The cycle race will start at the Polytechnic Hotel School at 08h00 and participants can compete over a short 30 kilometre distance or can challenge for the 70km route.The cut-off time is 11h00, with the prize-giving scheduled for 12h00.There will also be a kiddies race on July 29 for the first time.Registrar of the Polytechnic and chief organiser of the event, Corneels Jafta, said there will be a lot of lucky draws at the prize-giving for the cyclists.The biggest prize includes a return airplane ticket from Windhoek to Cape Town or Johannesburg donated by Trip Travel.Other prizes includes dinner, computers cycling gear and stationery for the category winners.Registrations will be done on July 29 at the Polytechnic from 14h00 until 17h00.This year, Nedbank, which serves as the main sponsor, gave N$30 000 towards the hosting of the event, while several other sponsors also came on board to make it a success.At a race presentation this week, Rector of the Polytechnic, Tjama Tjivikua said cycling is a fast growing sport in the country and felt that the institution gives an opportunity to people to improve their health through cycling.He commended the sponsors for their contribution for this year, saying that he hoped more will come on board, while he would want to see an improvement in terms of monetary value from the main sponsors.NedbankŽs group marketing and communications manager Pangwa Gabriel said with the race in July, Namibia is joining Europe in terms of timing.šIn Europe, its cycling season and soon we will be watching the progress of the the Tour de France, which to cycling is what Fifa World Cup is to football in terms of global popularity,š he said.He said Nedbank, which also has its annual Cycle Tour, wants aims to make cycling one of the biggest sports in the country and the bank has intentions of developing it to the fullest.He said Namibia has striking attractions and should place itself on the world wide web like Morocco and South Africa from which are said to be thoroughly promoted in terms of the sport.”Why should Namibia lose out in this regard ? We ask the question because our social investment focus on projects that result in a positive contribution to the economy,” he said.The cycle race will start at the Polytechnic Hotel School at 08h00 and participants can compete over a short 30 kilometre distance or can challenge for the 70km route.The cut-off time is 11h00, with the prize-giving scheduled for 12h00.There will also be a kiddies race on July 29 for the first time.Registrar of the Polytechnic and chief organiser of the event, Corneels Jafta, said there will be a lot of lucky draws at the prize-giving for the cyclists.The biggest prize includes a return airplane ticket from Windhoek to Cape Town or Johannesburg donated by Trip Travel.Other prizes includes dinner, computers cycling gear and stationery for the category winners.Registrations will be done on July 29 at the Polytechnic from 14h00 until 17h00.