Mbekweni pupils benefit from cycling project
2008-11-13
NINE pupils of the Mbekweni Primary School benefited from the Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN) development cycling programme recently when they were the proud recipients of mountain bicycles, helmets as well as cycling kit. These pupils were part of a group of 80 pupils in the Boland area. The official bicycle handing over ceremony was at the HF Van Cutsem Combined School in De Doorns. Ian Goetham, secretary of Boland Cycling Union, says, “Boland Cycling has already initiated development projects at Mbekweni Primary in the past. “With the assistance of the school, the nine pupils - including two girls - were identified. It is the objective to sustain this project in Mbekweni and give the learners opportunities to learn the sport and be part of it at a competitive level. “The challenge is also to attract more youngsters from this area to the sport of cycling,” says Goetham. “It is great to work with the school and be able to give opportunities for these youngsters to take up the sport of cycling.” Part of this project is Nedbank that funded the purchase of the bicycles, as well as Velotex that sponsored the cycling clothing. The Western Cape Department of Culture and Sport also forms part of this partnership. The youngsters have also obtained free entry into the 2009 Cape Argus Tour that will take place in March. The pupils of Mbekweni will be part of a continuous development programme that will address aspects of the sport, like bicycle repairs, training, diet, safe cycling, etc. They will not only concentrate on the cycling side of things, but the kids will also be taught different life skills. The pupils will also participate in local events and their performances will be closely monitored.
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