LOCAL cyclists are in for a hectic weekend of races as there are programme scheduled for Saturday and another billed for Sunday.
On Saturday, the country’s top pedal pushers will match skills in the George Cumberbatch Memorial programme organised by the Roraima Bikers Club and will be conducted around the inner circuit of the National Park, while on Sunday, there is a 20-lap event organised by the Kaieteur Cycle Club and this will be staged around the outer circuit of the National Park.
The later activity is being sponsored by Cell Smart/Digicel in memory of a now deceased former employee.
Cash prizes and other incentives will be up for grabs on both days and keen and exciting competition is anticipated both days. Both events have been sanctioned by the Guyana Cycle Federation.
Sunday’s 50-mile event will be done in collaboration with the National AIDS Secretariat Programme (NAPS).
According to Cell Smart’s Country Manager, David Atkinson, apart from the event being a part of his company’s obligation of giving back to the community, Digicel was inspired by the death of a former employee (Marlon Mack-Wilfred) last October from an HIV/AIDS related illness, as well as to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Sports, he said, is important to his company and they would also like to promote cycling in Guyana.
The winner of Sunday’s event will receive $30 000, while the other top finishers will be rewarded with $25 000, $20 000, $15 000, $10 000 and $5 000 respectively.
Besides the lucrative prizes, there will be prime prizes worth $1 000 for each lap.
Also, the each winner of laps five, ten and 15, will receive special prizes that will only be disclosed on Sunday.
The top three juniors as well as the top three veterans will be rewarded for their efforts.
Atkinson added that on race day, spectators will also cash in on attractive giveaways.
Airtime Limited Inc. which deals with electronic credit for Digicel phones has agreed to assist with some of the prizes.
Community Mobilisation of NAPS Nazim Hussain said NAPS is pleased to be associated with the event and complimented Cell Smart/Digicel for taking the lead by boldly stating that they were driven to do the event in memory of a colleague.
Digicel’s Retail Sales Manager Dwayne Scott reminded that Digicel is no stranger to sports, noting that they have supported the HIV/AIDS Awareness Programme, through the various agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations continuously.
Kaieteur Cycle Club’s president Malcolm Sonoram thanked Cell Smart/Digicel for supporting cycling in Guyana.
The George Cumberbatch event is an annual one which was initiated by the Roraima Bikers’ founder George Humphrey of Humphrey’s Bakery and Farm Products, Ketley Street, Charlestown.
The day’s activity which is a multi-race one caters for BMX boys and girls, juniors, juveniles, veterans, seniors and upright cyclists from all over Guyana.
The feature event of the day is usually a 20-lap affair and is usually eagerly looked forward to, as the cash prizes and incentives are very lucrative.
Meanwhile, all cyclists interested in participating in Sunday’s event are asked to note that they must wear their respective club uniforms on race day and must also have their licences in their possession.