11 Sep 2019

Botswana Insurance Company (BIC) gave Mokolodi Scorpion Cycling Challenge a shot in the arm by injecting P60 000 towards this year’s challenge billed for September 22.

When briefing the media on Tuesday, BIC executive head of sales and marketing, William Surmon said the gesture was in line with their company’s pillar of promoting health and fitness.

“As advocates of good health, we saw it appropriate to partner with Gaborone Cycling.”

Surmon indicated that the company prides itself in making life better for all Batswana, adding that as much as their core business was insurance, they however encourage their customers to lead healthy lifestyles whilst they continue to protect their personal and business assets.

He said their aim was to constantly promote awareness among road users such as cyclists, runners and drivers to be cognizant of possible risks on the roads; hence their involvement and partnerships with these challenges.

The BIC official expressed concern at the recorded statistics of road accidents over the years. In 2016, Surmon noted that a total of 18 373 road accidents were recorded, which included pedestrians, cyclists and car accidents. He said events such as Mokolodi Scorpion Cycling challenges were meant to sensitise cyclists about road safety.

The trail and run challenge is a family activity anticipating more than 200 local and international participants. Gaborone Cycling Club chairperson, Seamus O’Neill said the challenge would be in four categories the 56km and 36km mountain bike ride race, 10km trail as well as the 5km social walk race.

He noted that half of the sponsorship money would be channelled to Mokolodi Nature Reserve, and the rest split on riders’ prize moneys.

Surmon said although first prize was P1 500, it could be more provided they attract the anticipated number of over  200 cyclists.

Seamus indicated that although they anticipate international athletes especially from South Africa, the prize money was not attractive to them as half of the proceeds would go to charity.

“We can only offer them a unique ride with amazing dynamic countryside compared to South Africa where they are fairly limited because of farms.”

In addition, Seamus noted that the mountain bike race in Botswana was popular and not limited to certain people nor age group.

 

Registration for the race starts From September 20-21 at Ultimate Cycle Base at Sebele and online registration on the Gaborone Cycling Club website. ENDS