Council for disabled members participate in cycling epic

24 May 2023

Botswana Council for the Disabled (BCD)  cyclists  are participating in the Bidii Yetu cycling epic.

The team is made up of Thuso Rasetapa, Mpho Matsietsa, Boiki Motsayathebe, Gofaone Lesetedi, Bonang Kekgathetse, Edward Dhliwayo and Keemenao Motlale.

Bidii Yetu is an American non-governmental organisation that raises awareness on disability rights, disability awareness and advocates for sports, and workforce capacity building for individuals with disabilities.

Botswana Council for the Disabled public relations officer, Agisanyang Pitsane said the main objective of the cycling marathon was to promote inclusivity of disabled people in sport and wellness matters.

She said the cycling marathon would see cyclists, with and without disabilities, ride from Swakopmund in Namibia to Maputo, Mozambique and the journey would take two months.

She said 11 days would be spent in Botswana from May 25 to June 4 while cycling from Mamuno Border to Ramatlabama Border Post. She noted that the lap would cover close to 700km.

“The lap will have four segments: Charleshill to Kang, Kang to Jwaneng and Jwaneng to Ramatlabama Border Post,” she said, adding that it resembled a relay format.

She said the epic would also show that persons with disabilities were capable of achieving their targets if the community provided a supportive environment.

Pitsane urged communities to accommodate disabled persons in sports, health and wellness programmes so as to make them visible.

She noted that some disabled people were obese and had physical complications that could be taken care of by exercises.

She also noted that local gym rooms were not user-friendly to them. Pitsane pleaded with Batswana to support the cyclists by providing them with water, sports drinks and massages at health stops or any other support that they could give. ENDS

 

 

 

Source : BOPA

Author : Gaolethoo Kgatitswe

Location : GABORONE

Event : INTERVIEW

Date : 24 May 2023