18 Sep 2018

Sport plays a vital role in the lives of communities, says Yarona FM station manager, Kelly Ramputswa at the Yarona FM Cycle Challenge launch recently.

She stated that this year’s cycle challenge was a charity event and that the beneficiary was the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation.

She added that in an effort to encourage cycling at the grassroots level, the under 23 male and female winners would walk away with P10 000 each.

She said the change of prize money was to motivate the under 23 that they were as gifted as the elite cyclists and should strive to be the best.

For his part, Botswana Cycling Association representative, Kagiso Potongwane said cycling was experiencing growth in followership and participation.

“So far 14 clubs have been registered that are affiliated with the association.”

He further noted that cycling was beneficial to communities and could change lives.

He added that one of their cyclist has been offered a scholarship to Australia.

For his part, Cresta Lodge sales manager, Bararo Molefe noted that sports played a role in the economic growth of Botswana, and that Cresta would continue sponsoring the cycling challenge.

He further noted that the cycling challenge attracted participants from different countries and places thereby boosting the tourism industry.

“The rise of sports tourism has affected Botswana and we see people flocking into the country to support and partake in different sporting codes,” he said.

 The beneficiary of the Yarona FM Challenge, the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation representative, Matshidiso Masire said the foundation was grateful to Yarona FM and sponsors for the aid they were providing to the foundation.

She said the donation would be of assistance to the foundation. ENDS