Sport

SA Development Team for BMX Worlds

13 July 2010

A group of young BMX racers will line up alongside the world's best at the UCI BMX World Championship in Pietermaritzburg at the end of July, thanks to a collaboration between Cycling South Africa and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport.

The eager riders came from across the country, and were chosen by their instructors as the rising stars from each of the regional development programmes.

"We had nothing in place six years ago for these novice BMXers, so we came from 'Ground Zero'," said BMX veteran Sharlene McGilvray who is a driving force behind the project. "To be able to get the funding to enter a team of talented riders from the development programme is really exciting."

Fantastic opportunity

McGilvray added that this was a fantastic opportunity to remove kids from crime ridden street corners and the possibility of getting involved with drugs by focusing their attention on the sport. "We would also like to inspire the development paddlers by introducing them to our Gauteng world-beater Sifiso Nhlapo," she said.

"I only got involved relatively recently," she added, "but we seem to have made a difference!"

McGilvray indicated the many lessons have been learnt during the formation of the development programmes.

"In Pietermaritzburg, we didn't to take into account that bike donations would be translated into personal mobility for the beneficiaries, not just sport kit for training and competing," said McGilvray.

Giba Gorge

Giba Gorge, near Durban, is a successful centre for development for BMX riders. "The Giba Gorge BMX development riders have come a long way over the past year, and it has been great to see their progress," said Jason Nichol, manager of the centre of Development Excellence Giba Gorge.

"These kids ride with zeal, and it's thanks to BMX parents and young riders who have donated kit and bikes to get these kids turning wheels and racing.

"We started with six lads and a sponsor in Omnico/Mongoose, who provided the whole team with new bikes and helmets last year," said Nichol. "This was awarded on merit as the kids have worked hard, and accomplished super results.

"Our stars have a new team sponsor in the form of Ilanga Newspapers. Now the team has the backing and resources to take their training to the next level," he added.

'Professional programmes and individual attention'

"All six riders now train under the watchful eye of Sydney Webster. This ensures professional programmes and individual attention through physical coaching and mental preparation. This has progressed the team from novice to expert classes. They are working their way into the Elites," he continued.

"It is great to see the kids, sharing their dreams, their aspirations and having an absolute ball just simply being kids," Nichol reckoned. "It is through sport and environments like these where true transformation takes place naturally. We want them to learn accountability and self-discipline, respect, and what it means to be to be dedicated.

"“These boys cannot believe that the UCI BMX World Champs will be near their home town and that they will have the experience of racing with the worlds best next month.

'The stuff of dreams!'

"Three years ago they didn't realise the sport of BMX existed, and now the whole team will be competing at the highest levels. The stuff of dreams!" he concluded.

The UCI BMX World Championships takes place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August.

SA Development team for the UCI BMX World Championships:

Akhona Jim (WP), Rhulani Chauke (GP), Richard Ditsela (GP), Tumelo Dlalisa (GP), Bayanda Ganyaza (WP), Themba Hlophe (GP), Michael Luswazi (KZN), Gavin Mabasa (GP), David Mahota (GP), Xolisa Makubalo (WP), Aldane Marais (KZN), Sfiso Mjila (GP), Lunga Mkhize (KZN), Wanga Moshani (WP), Sambulo Ndlovu (KZN), Nana Ngcobo (KZN), Scelo Nkomane (KZN), Thami Nkumbule (GP), Menzi Radebe (KZN), Boy Radebe (KZN), Phakamani Radebe (KZN), Sizwe Tshabalala (GP), Anita Zenani (WP)

SAinfo reporter