Young BMX’ers get boost from new community track

Getting pulses racing and legs moving, JAG Foundation in association with Songo.info Project has unveiled their latest initiative, the Kayamandi BMX Track in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch. The track, based in the heart of the disadvantaged township, will give local children the opportunity to hone their athletic skills, with the aim to instill a love of riding and a sense of sportsmanship in the area’s underprivileged youth.

Envisioned by local community leader and athlete, Songo Fipaza, the Kayamandi track was built in partnership with JAG Foundation – a Sports and Education trust – as an outlet for disenchanted youth and as a way to encourage a passion for sport within the community. The area’s children will now be able to spend their time outdoors, further developing their riding skills, in a bid to keep them healthy and off the streets.

From the outset the project has seen a host of high profile athletes contributing their valuable time toward the cause – notably Christoph Sauser, the current world mountain-biking champion and acclaimed mountain biker, Burry Stander, who teamed up for the 2008 Absa Cape Epic in a bid to raise funds for the project.

“In addition to the support of these dedicated athletes we have also had phenomenal sponsorship support from the Pedal Power Association, the Stellenbosch Municipality and Absa,” comments Fipaza. “Special thanks should also be extended to Absa Cape Epic, Specialized, Mongoose and generous online donors – all these partners have been instrumental in the success of the project.”

Erica Green, Project Manager and ex-Olympic cyclist, comments “The Kayamandi BMX track aims to provide a safe environment for youth, giving them their own space to practice and train.” She continues, “Our vision for the track is simple – to offer disadvantaged children a chance to experience the physical and mental benefits that this amazing sport can offer.”

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 28th, 2008 at 12:03 pm and is filed under categories: press release and tags: , bmx track, Eirca Green, press release. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.