Swazi Observer

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UNITED HOLDINGS PUMPS IN E230 000 TO CYCLING

By Mthunzi Maziya | 2019-05-22

CYCLING – UNITED Holdings has done it again!

This time the sponsorship for the Mafutseni Road Classic stands at E230 000, after the company increased the package from last year’s 210 000. The launch of the new sponsorship took place at United Holdings’ boardroom, formerly known as Dups, in Manzini yesterday.

The event was attended by top ranking officials from the company, representatives of the Eswatini Cycling Association (ECA), which was previously referred to as the Cycling Association of Swaziland (CAS) and officials from the Swaziland National Sports and Recreation Council (SNRSC).

The race, which is being organised by NewCom Wheels in conjunction with United Holdings, is scheduled to take place on the 2nd of June. NewCom Wheels’ Mbusi Motsa thanked United Holdings for coming on board yet again. He said such sponsorships played a significant role in the development of cycling in the country as only through competition can the sport grow. “We are happy to announce that we will be having international teams participating in the race. It is important that we allow the internationals to take part because we have to gauge ourselves against the best if we want to become the best,” he said.

Motsa added that he was confident the champion of the Mafutseni Road Classic would come from Eswatini.

ECA’s president, Sihlangu Nhlabatsi said they had learnt of calls for internationals to be barred from taking part in local races.

However, he said that would not happen as for all races other than the National Championships, any cyclist from anywhere in the world was allowed to take part.

“We would like to apologise to cyclists for shifting the date of the race at the last minute. We have been mandated to have at least one Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) recognised race every year on our calendar, and we hope that the United Holdings Mafutseni Road Classic will win that recognition as it meets the threshold,” he said.

The president assured that SADC riders would attend the race.

United Holdings’ General Manager Commercial Services, Marcelle Fortune, who represented the company’s Chief Executive Officer, said her company was proud to be the main sponsor of the Mafutseni Road Classic.

He urged the public and cyclists to visit www. Unitedholdingswaziland.com to learn more about the company and the race. “We are very proud to announce a E20 000 increase to the sponsorship from E210 000 to E230 000,” she said.

SNRSC’s Zama Tsabedze, who represented the CEO and the ministry of sports, thanked United Holdings for supporting sports as government did not have adequate funds to cover all areas.

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