Sports Eye’s Club of Dar es Salaam will stage the second edition of Mbeya Cycling Challenge race on May 1, this year.
Sports Eye’s coordinator, Abdallah Chapa, told the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam that the race aims to promote sports in the region. He said that preparations are in top gear and that the participants will come from all Mbeya districts.
“We’re preparing for this year’s Mbeya Cycling Challenge, which is the second edition of the race launches last year,” Chapa said. “It will be open to male and female riders.”
He, however, said his club is still looking for sponsors to make the event a success and he appealed to well-wishers to come forward and assist the event, which he said also has the benefit of creating jobs for youth.
Chapa said the race is one of the several cycling events the club, in collaboration with district, regional and national bodies, plans to organise this year.
“The event will help Mbeya region to identify top players who can represent them in the national and international tournaments,” he said.
One of the coming international events is ‘Race to Matema’ which will be held later this year. The race was last held in 2013 and it could not take place last year during the Matema Beach Festival due to several reasons, but the organisers want to give cyclists a chance to showcase their talent this time around.
Early this month Sports Eye’s organised the second edition of Momba cycling race held in Tunduma, Momba district in Mbeya region was won by Bahati Chakalasi.
The 25-year-old Chakasi finished fourth last year but this time around he emerged overall winner of the 150 kilometre race in 5 hours 27 minutes 45 seconds.
By MBONILE BURTON, Tanzania Daily News