Khayelitsha's Velokhaya BMXers to compete in World Championships

Cape Town, July 15, 2010   

Five BMX cyclists from the Velokhaya BMX Oval in Khayelitsha will soon have the opportunity to pit their skills against the world's top BMXers when South Africa hosts the UCI BMX World Championships for the first time at the end of July 2010.

Two of Velokhaya's most talented BMXers - Xolisa Makubalo (15) and Bayanda Ganyaza (12) - have already delivered impressive, medal-winning performances at the SA BMX Championships held in April 2010 and all eyes will be on them, and the three novice riders, Akhona Jim (16*), Anita Zenani (12) and Wanga Moshani (11), who will be joining them at the Worlds.

According to Amos Ziqubu, co-founder of the Life Cycling Academy and Velokhaya, "Xolisa and Bayanda exceeded everyone's expectations at the SA BMX Champs when they each won three gold medals and in doing so, qualified as Expert riders and met the qualification criteria for the BMX World Championships.

"Their achievements at the SA Champs were remarkable considering this was Xolisa and Bayanda's first competitive event outside Khayelitsha and only their third ever competitive event - and that both riders had been BMXing for less than 18 months.

"The event was also the first time the boys had raced on an international BMX track and in a race using the UCI ProGate starting system. The starting system alone could have disadvantaged them but they showed everyone that nothing could stop them from taking gold in three legs of the Championships."

According to Velokhaya CEO, Glyn Broomberg, "We never expected our riders to reach this level of success at such an early stage and are delighted that Primedia Broadcasting (which owns KFM 94.5 and 567 Cape Talk radio stations) and the Dis-Chem Foundation have donated funds, as part of their Cares Campaign, which has made it possible to send our riders, and a small support team, to the BMX Worlds.

"The opportunity to compete in the Worlds is important for many reasons. Not only will it show the world the depth of BMX talent in South African townships but, more importantly, it is a chance to positively influence the lives of thousands of township youth.

"Xolisa and Bayanda's success at the SA Champs has already done much to inspire their peers because they have shown that it is possible to achieve one's dreams through hard work, dedication and commitment and we are most grateful to Primedia Broadcasting and the Dis-Chem Foundation for their generous support."

Velokhaya's Bayanda Ganyaza, Akhona Jim, Xolisa Makubalo, Wanga Moshani and the only female BMXer in the group, Anita Zenani, will compete as members of the South African Development Team.

Click here for personal profiles of all Velokhaya riders attending the UCI BMX World Championships.

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Velokhaya/The Life Cycling Academy