3 December 2008
FIRST National Bank sponsored the FNB Desert Dash, an endurance cycling competition, to the tune of N$105 000 yesterday.
The event kicks off on December 12 at 15h00 from the Windhoek Country Club and ends around the same time on December 13 in Swakopmund.
FNB's chief executive officer, Leonard Haynes, said the bank is excited to be associated with the FNB Desert Dash, which involves international cyclists such as defending champion Mannie Heymans, who has participated in three Olympic Games in Athens, Sydney and Beijing.
"I am credibly informed that the FNB Desert Dash has also attracted other international cyclists from the United States, The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Australia participating in the 24-hour non-stop cycling competition," Haynes said.
At the same event, FNB Corporate Communications Manager Cassius Moetie mentioned that FNB was constantly improving its brand value through quality sponsorship investments.
Moetie said cycling is one of the sport codes that require a high level of discipline, as cyclists need to follow the right diet and put a lot of effort into their training programmes, unlike other athletes who can get away with less commitment.
He added that his company secured the naming rights and the competition will officially be referred to as the FNB Desert Dash.
"We have a three-year agreement and FNB will develop this property to grow from strength to strength, making it one of the most successful endurance programmes," Moetie said.
The event organiser of the FNB Desert Dash, Adin de Lange, expressed appreciation for the sponsorship and medium-term partnership with FNB to support the event for three years.
"The FNB Desert Dash started with 40 like-minded riders in 2005 cycling over the same distance, 340 kilometres, which grew to 211 riders in three years' time," De Lange said.
He added that the FNB Desert Dash was unique in the sense that safety was a top priority for the riders.
"We made provision for E-med rescue services for the entire endurance trip to Swakopmund.
We have deployed sixty crew members and marshals to provide various services, while vehicles will be limited to 40 km/h on the route.
"Cyclists are also informed as part of the rules of the FNB Desert Dash to have helmets and red flashing lights for night riding, while there will be cellphone reception for the biggest part of the route," De Lange said.
"Ninety-six per cent of the route is rough and dirt road and mountain passes ...
Riders will also come across wash-away dips and loose rocky crescents from time to time.
The long flat sections of the route will be topped with soft sand," he cautioned.
De Lange said the emphasis of the FNB Desert Dash is not so much on winning awards, but instead on completing the race.
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