Realising the enormous potential to market the area at a global level and contribute at the same time to the development of young South African athletes, the area's uThungulu District Municipality stepped up to the table with a sponsorship of R220 000 to cover the costs of televising the event nationally and internationally.
Olympic qualifier
The participating athletes will be competing for points to enable them to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. And, if all goes well, Richards Bay could be chosen as the venue for the Triathlon World Championships in 2010.
Revenue generated by local businesses and accommodation establishments over the weekend of the event is expected to exceed R7-million and the estimated valued of the television coverage worldwide also runs into millions of rands.
"We are delighted to be a part of this historic occasion and to be able to contribute towards positioning Richards Bay and the uThungulu district as a multi-sport mecca, with the ideal climate, coastline and facilities for hosting a wide variety of sports, " said uThungulu Municipal Manager BB Biyela.
'We extend a warm welcome'
"We extend a warm welcome to all the officials and athletes involved."
Biyela, who is also president of the Zululand Chamber of Business, will be officially welcoming all the participants at an opening dinner to be held on Friday, 9 June and will also officiate at the prizegiving on the day of the race.
uThungulu was the main sponsor of the 2006 and 2005 South African Triathlon Championships which took place in Richards Bay.
This led to a development partnership between uThungulu and the Zululand Triathlon Club which saw workshops being held for previously disadvantaged athletes to encourage them to participate in triathlon events.
A large group of community members are currently being trained to officiate at the World Cup event.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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Olympic qualifier
The participating athletes will be competing for points to enable them to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. And, if all goes well, Richards Bay could be chosen as the venue for the Triathlon World Championships in 2010.
Revenue generated by local businesses and accommodation establishments over the weekend of the event is expected to exceed R7-million and the estimated valued of the television coverage worldwide also runs into millions of rands.
"We are delighted to be a part of this historic occasion and to be able to contribute towards positioning Richards Bay and the uThungulu district as a multi-sport mecca, with the ideal climate, coastline and facilities for hosting a wide variety of sports, " said uThungulu Municipal Manager BB Biyela.
'We extend a warm welcome'
"We extend a warm welcome to all the officials and athletes involved."
Biyela, who is also president of the Zululand Chamber of Business, will be officially welcoming all the participants at an opening dinner to be held on Friday, 9 June and will also officiate at the prizegiving on the day of the race.
uThungulu was the main sponsor of the 2006 and 2005 South African Triathlon Championships which took place in Richards Bay.
This led to a development partnership between uThungulu and the Zululand Triathlon Club which saw workshops being held for previously disadvantaged athletes to encourage them to participate in triathlon events.
A large group of community members are currently being trained to officiate at the World Cup event.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
Source link
