The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has entered into a three-year partnership with Cycling South Africa to roll-out a series of high-impact cycling events as well as refurbish the Chevrolet Stadium during legacy development programmes.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Cycling South Africa today launched the Africa Cup. Africa Cup is a professional cycling event to be held in Nelson Mandela Bay from 10-13 October 2019 where African cycling federations will race four one-day events.
The event offers the last opportunity for African nations to earn points toward qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games, making it attractive for the best cyclists on the continent.
The October event is part of a three-year partnership between NMBM and Cycling South Africa to roll-out a series of high-impact cycling events as well as a legacy development programme.
The launch took place in City Hall. In attendance was MMC Public Health, Cllr Yolisa Pali, Executive Director – SRAC, Noxolo Nqwazi, MMC Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture, Cllr Lehlohonolo Mfana, Zamuxolo Xatasi, President of Cycling South Africa and Mike Bradley, General Manager of Cycling South Africa.
“Once again, Nelson Mandela Bay is ready to show itself off as a world-class sporting destination by hosting another international event,” Executive Mayor, Mongameli Bobani, said. “We’re very confident the city will show off its capabilities of hosting high-impact events. We’re encouraging sports fans to come out and support these events as we give these hard-working athletes the opportunity to achieve their dreams and work towards the Olympic Games. We’re very proud to have our city play an integral part in such a global occasion. Nelson Mandela Bay continues to place itself as a sporting capital of the world,” Mr Bobani concluded.
Cycling programmes forming the Legacy Project will be set up in peri-urban areas with the intention to increase the existing cycling culture in the Eastern Cape.
“When we first started working on this idea, we knew we needed a partner who shared the vision and was interested in creating a legacy that will be felt long after the partnership is over. In Nelson Mandela Bay we’ve found an energised and exciting host city that is eager to show off local and national culture to these visiting athletes while making a difference to the local communities,” Zamuxolo Xatasi, President of Cycling South Africa said.
“Cycling SA has undertaken the task to refurbish and upgrade the Chevrolet Stadium situated in New Brighton,” said General Manager of Cycling South Africa, Mike Bradley. “This will be done through applications for funding through various sources. The Chevrolet Stadium will also be the official home of Cycling SA in the Eastern Cape where a lease arrangement will be concluded with the NMBM,” Bradley concluded.
The roll-out of other cycling events in 2020 includes Nelson Mandela Bay hosting Elite and Masters Road National Championships, Track National Championships and Africa Cup again.
The racing details for Africa Cup are as follows:
- Day 1 – October 10, 2019 – Thursday – Individual Time Trial – Marine Drive
- Day 2 – October 11, 2019 – Friday – Mixed Relay – New Brighton
- Day 3 – October 12, 2019 – Saturday – Criterium Race – Lorraine Primary School
- Day 4 – October 13, 2019 – Sunday – Road Races – St Georges Park/CBD
The partnership involves:
- Three-year programme of bringing international and championship events to the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro
- Create investment in cycling communities
- Create youth employment opportunities
The following projects will be rolled out:
- 2019 + 2020 – Africa Cup
- 2020 – Elite and Masters Road National Championships
- 2020 – Track National Championships
- 2021 – The Mandela Tour
- 2019-2021 – Legacy Project
Alan Straton
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