This week saw the first 100 days of presidency at Cycling South Africa for Zamuxolo Xatasi. It has been a busy and productive first three months for Yster, as he is known to his peers and within the cycling community. In this early phase, he congratulates a newly crowned South African World Champion in the under-23 Mountain bike Cross-country.
“Congratulations to Alan Hatherly on your incredible achievement!” said Yster. “Your success has made a huge impact on South African cycling and you have put our country on the mountain bike map once again!
“Congratulations too to Spur for the considerable work being done to promote cycling so extensively amongst our youngsters in every aspect of cycling in South Africa. A rider like Alan also came from the Spur Schools Series – a series that has grown in leaps and bounds and has gathered momentum each year. Thank you for your commitment to cycling.”
A boost for road cycling and more UCI-accredited races in South Africa is on the cards and after the successful running of the inaugural Tour de Limpopo in April this year, host Limpopo Tourism Agency has confirmed that a further two-year deal will be signed for the event in 2019 and 2020. Cycling SA together with Limpopo Tourism Agency are excited to bring another two editions of the race and intend to grow the event with the addition of some exciting new concepts.
“Following on from the success of the Tour de Limpopo, other provinces have requested that we submit similar concepts to them for consideration as well. We will keep you updated regarding the progress on this development.”
While the venue is still to be confirmed, the 2019 SA National Road Championships is set for 7-10 February and will see changes to the participating categories. The previous six-day championships will be reduced to four competition days catering for the Elite, under-23, Masters and Para-cycling categories only; whilst the Junior, Youth and under categories will compete in their own national road championships in the June/July school holidays.
Work on the development of cycling is running well. 20 cycling academies around the country have been identified, nine of which have met the criteria were granted R 20 000 each this year. These academies are established and have their “house in order”, which is vital to any academy, club and province being in a position to gain access to funding. Sound administration in sport is critical to the success of all the organisations involved.
For 2018/2019, funding from Sport and Recreation South Africa will be channelled towards additional academies that are being discovered in rural areas in the Free State, Western Cape, Gauteng and Eastern Cape. Cycling SA is in the process of bringing them on board and obtaining their documentation in order to facilitate the access to funding for them.
Yster has been communicating with provincial structures and has established a president’s forum whereby he will work with the provincial cycling heads to ensure that all the structural requirements of administering cycling in each province is in full effect. Quarterly meetings have been scheduled where discussions will highlight the challenges that the province’s encounter and also ensure that systems and processes are duly followed.
With great support in his new role as president of the federation, Yster has many great ideas to take our sport further in our country.
Photo credit: Tour de Limpopo Day 1 – @haydsrown
