08 Jun 2022

The Southern Epic Cycling Challenge, slated for July 17, is expected to boost the region’s economy.

The event is expected to boost sport tourism in the area since patrons would have the opportunity to travel around Kanye and enjoy the beauty of the village.

Speaking during a press conference in Kanye on Monday, Southern District Council (SDC) chairperson, Thamiso Chabalala, said he was happy to be part of the event that would bring a lot of benefits to the district.

“Even after the event more people will visit the area for its tourism attraction sites as well as rich culture,” he added.

Chabalala said he was hopeful that other sporting codes would host their activities in the area, which would market the district to the world.

“Soon table tennis will be hosting one of their activities here, which is a good development,” he said.

Different businesses in the area, he said, would benefit from the event as they would be providing services and products to the attendants.

“Taxis, hospitality industry, street vendors and many other businesses would have more customers during the cycling period,” he said.

He said apart from recreation and boosting the economy, the event would also play a vital role in improving the health of all those who took part in the challenge.

“Exercising reduces visits to health facilities, I cannot wait for the big day,” he added.

Chabalala urged all to spread the message about the event, further thanking the organisers and wishing them the best.

Minkie Bokole, southern region coordinator at Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture said her ministry had to be part of the event since sport was part of their mandate.

She thanked all the cyclists for having vaccinated for COVID-19 as that was one of the factors that made it possible for the event to be held, noting that their activities as a ministry had been halted due to the pandemic.

“Those who vaccinated made it possible to sport resumption,” she added.

Bokole urged cyclists to encourage other people to join the sport since it contributed a lot in different aspects of life such as in health, discipline as well as a source of income.

She said it was vital to grow sport in the area, hence her advice to the organisers to have mini events as a build up to the main one.

SDC deputy council secretary, Thabiso Galebotse, thanked the organisers for choosing to host the event in the district, further indicating that the council was committed to supporting the event in anyway possible.

He said the event was going to promote healthy living amongst the participants, as cycling was part of exercising.

Galebotse also stated that the event was going to boost local economy, noting that different stakeholders would spend the night in the area hence hiring accommodation and accessing other services and products from local businesses.

Southern Epic Cycling Challenge’s communications officer, Tiroyaone Khuto said the event was going to be bigger and better than the previous one.

“Southern district is going to be a home to a world class event,” he said.

He said the event was a professional one, with international participants hence the need to keep it to the highest standard.

Khuto said the challenge was targeting 300 cyclists especially professionals, adding that the prize money was anticipated at a total of around P200 000.

He said the event was also going to assist in skills exchange as they hoped for schools in the area to have cycling clubs and partake in different competitions including Southern Epic cycling.

Pertaining to giving back to the community, he said SDC would identify areas of need where secured funds would be used to improve lives.

 “We intend to uplift the lives in the area,” he said.

David Lebalelo, of Team Swift who are the Technical partners said they were going to stage a signature event, adding that they wanted it to be accredited to a national championship.

He said Kanye was a home of cycling considering the terrain, noting that the route of 120 kilometres ride was going to start in Kanye, pass through Ranaka and Moshupa then back to starting line.

Lebalelo promised that they were going to deliver a successful, safe and interesting event, further appealing to the police to close the roads where possible in order for them to stage a world class event. ENDs