Cycling event pushed back
Cycling event that was supposed to be held in Dar es Salaam and Coast regions over the previous weekend has been pushed back by the organisers until September.
The reason behind the three-month postponement is based on poor financing by the Cycling Association of Tanzania (CHABATA) as confirmed by the body’s chairman, Nazir Manji.
Manji said scores of cyclists from across the country had confirmed to participate.
The event was planned to be held concurrently with the general election of the association’s office bearers. Neither the general election nor the cycling event will now be held as a result of the postponement.
Manji said CHABATA tried to communicate with several corporate sponsors to back the event but without any significant progress.
None of the companies and organisations has responded to the request. However, Manji was not able to unveil the budget estimates enough to cover the staging of the two events.
He said some millions of shillings are needed to cover the costs of four cyclists and two officials from each region.
Manji said CHABATA had planned a 150-kilometre route starting from Dar es Salaam City center to Kisarawe district and back for men cyclists.
Women cycling route was to cover 100 kilometres covering terrain and hilly sections.
“It was an event which we wanted to inspire young people and also give them the opportunity to uplift their talents,” he said.
He made a call to companies, organisations and individuals to help his association so that it can revive the sport that has lost its popularity and remained inactive for years.
Manji said CHABATA office bearers have overstayed and ended their tenures long ago but shortage of funds has crippled efforts to conduct the general elections.
He said they have written National Sports Council (NSC) to advise them on the other day to hold the elections and also help the association with finances for the elections.
“We have communicated with the National Sports Council to advise us on how to hold elections and the financing logistics as CHABATA is really committed to have the elections the soonest,” he said.