Swazi Observer

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ECA HONOURS MANDLA SIMELANE

By Sibusiso Masilela | 2020-10-18

Cycling - Eswatini Cycling Association (ECA) has promised to honour the late former president Mandla Simelane, by naming a race after the fallen cycling icon.

This was revealed by the ECA President, Sihlangu Nhlabatsi, during Simelane’s memorial service at the Mbabane Evangelical church yesterday.

The association will now name the annual Siteki Road classic after the late administrator, which will be held on November 8th.

Nhlabatsi said the race will be in hounour of the seasoned administrator, who played the role towards the birth of cycling in the country.

“We are very saddened and shocked by the demise of our former president. He played a key role in the formation of the local cycling federation.

“We have decided to name one of our races after him as a way of keeping his legacy on and recognise his efforts in the sport,” he said.

Nhlabatsi further stated that the late Simelane contributed in the affiliation of the local cycling mother body to international bodies such as Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) and Union Cycling International (UCI).

“We will forever remember Simelane’s contribution and passion for the sport.

“He further played a major role in ensuring that our association gets recognition from international federations. The Confederation of African cycling and Eswatini Sports and Reaction Council have also been touched by the demise of Simelane, and they have also expressed their condolences over the sad news. We will forever cherish his contribution in the development of the sport in the country,” he further said.

The memorial service was attended by members of the local cycling fraternity, who gave a colourful sendoff to the late administrator by escorting the hearse into the church before the memorial service. The late 4 Motion Cycling Club founder was expected to be laid to rest this morning at the Sidwashini cemetery.

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