17 Mar 2024

Botswana Cycling Association (BCA) has assembled an eight-man team to participate in the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC) Cycling event, scheduled for April 15.

The 15-day event will begin in Pretoria, South Africa, pass through Botswana before finishing in Walvis Bay, Namibia.

BCA president, Kagiso Potongwane told BOPA that BCA managed eight out of the requested 10 cyclists whom the association was working hard to prepare for the challenge.

They are, Daniel Mophuthing, Jeremiah Kokwane, Phenyo Maseng, Terrence Bogatsu, Vusumuzi Lesetedi, Wame Ntwayakgosi,  Ditirahalo Mosinyi and Matshediso Ebudilwe (the only woman in the team).

“The reduced number of cyclists maybe a challenge but the BCA is determined to make the most of the opportunity,” he said and added that it would be an exciting opportunity for Botswana cyclists to showcase their skills and represent the country on an international stage.

He said participants were in high spirits due to the nature of the event and the opportunity it presented.

“The BCA is honoured to be participating in the TKC cycling event, which aims to raise awareness of the TKC and its role in promoting regional trade.

We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this initiative and are committed to making the event a success,” said Potongwane.

He explained that BCA believed that cycling was a powerful tool to promote health, fitness and community engagement and hoped to inspire others.

Cyclists participating in the event have been selected from various BCA affiliate clubs across Botswana, and they will be using the opportunity to gain valuable exposure and experience, Potongwane said and explained that the event was about endurance and required participants to cover long distance in days and regarded in as a tour and not a competitive event.

“The 1 900km route is certainly no easy feat and it will require immense physical and mental strength to complete. I urge our cyclists to approach the challenge with the determination and resilience that they are known for,” said Potongwane.

He said participants would definitely enjoy the experience and also learn and benchmark along the way and the experience would improve their personal lives as well as contribute to the growth of Botswana cycling sport.

Participation, he said contributed to BCA’s mandate to promote cycling as an event of national and international significance because it brought together three countries through the sport of cycling.

Speaking from Cape Town, South Africa, where she has been participating in one of the world toughest mountain bike races in the world, Ebudilwe said the TKC cycling event would be a very challenging ride.

“When I think of riding from Pretoria to Walvis Bay, it is a challenging mileage to cover. It means that one will have to be mentally strong to be able to ride all the way,” she said and added that she was ready to take the bull by the horns.

TKC Secretariat marketing and communications executive based in Windhoek, Namibia Odirile Hunda said preparations were moving smoothly.

She said the cycling would start in Pretoria with South Africa minister responsible for transport signing a pledge. In Botswana, the pledge will be signed in Lobatse by Minister of Transport and Public Works, Eric Molale while in Namibia, it will be singed in Windhoek by the minister responsible for Transport.

The three member states will pledge to continue to facilitate a seamless movement of goods and persons along the corridor, to ensure the road infrastructure on the TKC is maintained in adequate condition, to ensure economic development on the corridor as well as promote safety and security along the corridor, Hunda said. ENDS