Cycling club changes lives
It has barely been a year since the as NCCS Pro Team Academy was formed but it has already made an impact on young people's lives in Katutura.
The cycling club known as NCCS Pro Team Academy aims to distract young people's attention from ills such as alcohol and drugs towards involvement in healthy sport and exercise, and to become one of the strongest Namibian-owned pro cycling teams to participate in world tours.
The club with eight members and three managers is the brainchild of Ebben-Ezer Iita, who loves the sport of cycling and wanted to give back to the youth.
He started cycling for fitness and enjoyed it so much that he formed the club after discussions with a friend who is a professional cyclist, Loto Petrus, who is now the NCCS team captain. The club identifies aspiring cyclists from poor backgrounds and develops them into elite riders.
“My idea is to teach young people that cycling is not only supposed to be a white-dominated sport but that they too can participate,” said Iita.
According to Iita boys from poor communities are not given the chance to flourish in the sport. “Sponsors only look at the richer youth. But we are fighting for inclusivity as well so that we can push our young people to do better for themselves.”
Although the club is for boys and girls alike, it is male dominated. Iita feels that with time they will introduce more women to cycling. “Girls are not forthcoming. We want to change that and to empower them so that they are aware of the benefits of cycling.”
Chiponeni 'Fiffy' Kashululu, a member of the club, says he started cycling in 2008 and has not looked back.
“This is what I have always wanted to do. When the club was established I joined. NCCS keeps me off the streets, protecting me from bad habits such as drugs, alcohol abuse and theft.
“My life has really changed as I can now see the world from a different perspective,” he says.
Petrus, who helped start NCCS PRO Team and is a former African champion and three-time Namibian road bike champion, says he started cycling at the age of 11 and has never looked back. He has achieved many accolades as a cyclist and has two years left before he retires from professional cycling.
“Cycling kept me away from bad influences. After retiring I will work on making sure that young people take up the sport. Not because I want money, but because of the love and passion I have for the sport.”
Jacob Kiyola, team manager of NCCS Pro Team, says they want to instil the values of discipline, hard work and teamwork in young people's lives.
“The club is different from the rest in the country as we recruit cyclists from poor backgrounds and develop them into professional cyclists. We give them full support, starting with equipment, accommodation, race registration and supplements.
“This is very costly, especially the equipment. People from poor backgrounds cannot afford it although they are talented. Our team is serious about recognising this talent and helping them reach their full potential.”
The club is currently busy with Etameko, a cycling initiative that helps riders at grassroots level to gain skills and encourages them to participate in cycling events.
“In this manner we help the youth to stay away from crime, drugs and alcohol abuse. We have been working closely with Physical Active Youth (PAY) located in Katutura to achieve this goal of ours. This will be a good feeding system for young cyclists.”
The team also has a social initiative for club supporters because of a lack of spectators at cycling events. “This is the only way we can promote cycling and have a good sponsorship exposure,” Kiyola says.
At the moment the team is preparing for the Nedbank Desert Dash scheduled for 8 December.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
The club with eight members and three managers is the brainchild of Ebben-Ezer Iita, who loves the sport of cycling and wanted to give back to the youth.
He started cycling for fitness and enjoyed it so much that he formed the club after discussions with a friend who is a professional cyclist, Loto Petrus, who is now the NCCS team captain. The club identifies aspiring cyclists from poor backgrounds and develops them into elite riders.
“My idea is to teach young people that cycling is not only supposed to be a white-dominated sport but that they too can participate,” said Iita.
According to Iita boys from poor communities are not given the chance to flourish in the sport. “Sponsors only look at the richer youth. But we are fighting for inclusivity as well so that we can push our young people to do better for themselves.”
Although the club is for boys and girls alike, it is male dominated. Iita feels that with time they will introduce more women to cycling. “Girls are not forthcoming. We want to change that and to empower them so that they are aware of the benefits of cycling.”
Chiponeni 'Fiffy' Kashululu, a member of the club, says he started cycling in 2008 and has not looked back.
“This is what I have always wanted to do. When the club was established I joined. NCCS keeps me off the streets, protecting me from bad habits such as drugs, alcohol abuse and theft.
“My life has really changed as I can now see the world from a different perspective,” he says.
Petrus, who helped start NCCS PRO Team and is a former African champion and three-time Namibian road bike champion, says he started cycling at the age of 11 and has never looked back. He has achieved many accolades as a cyclist and has two years left before he retires from professional cycling.
“Cycling kept me away from bad influences. After retiring I will work on making sure that young people take up the sport. Not because I want money, but because of the love and passion I have for the sport.”
Jacob Kiyola, team manager of NCCS Pro Team, says they want to instil the values of discipline, hard work and teamwork in young people's lives.
“The club is different from the rest in the country as we recruit cyclists from poor backgrounds and develop them into professional cyclists. We give them full support, starting with equipment, accommodation, race registration and supplements.
“This is very costly, especially the equipment. People from poor backgrounds cannot afford it although they are talented. Our team is serious about recognising this talent and helping them reach their full potential.”
The club is currently busy with Etameko, a cycling initiative that helps riders at grassroots level to gain skills and encourages them to participate in cycling events.
“In this manner we help the youth to stay away from crime, drugs and alcohol abuse. We have been working closely with Physical Active Youth (PAY) located in Katutura to achieve this goal of ours. This will be a good feeding system for young cyclists.”
The team also has a social initiative for club supporters because of a lack of spectators at cycling events. “This is the only way we can promote cycling and have a good sponsorship exposure,” Kiyola says.
At the moment the team is preparing for the Nedbank Desert Dash scheduled for 8 December.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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