Tsoyo, Kathumba set for SA race

Two Malawian cyclists, Missi Kathumba and Leonard Tsoyo, are set to leave the country on Friday for South Africa to participate in the Cape Argus Race on Sunday.

They qualified after finishing first and second in the 2012 Illovo Classic Cycling Race.

They will travel by road to Lilongwe today [Thursday] before flying out on Friday, courtesy of a full sponsorship from Illovo Sugar Malawi.

“We have worked hard and trained properly for this event and we will bring back results. It is a big event and the exposure we will get there is vital in the development of the game.

“We thank Illovo for the sponsorship and look forward to repaying them with a good showing,” said Tsoyo.

Illovo national sales manager Walter Nyamilandu said the international competitions are aimed at exposing the cyclists to top events.

“Since we started sponsoring the sport some time back, the profile of the game has risen a lot and the game is attractive to sponsor. We see this as a worthwhile venture.

“The cyclists will never be the same every time they participate in such competitions. We wish them all the best,” said Nyamilandu.

Cycling Association of Malawi President Andrew Mkwezalamba thanked Illovo for the sponsorship, saying it is the backbone of the sport’s development programme in Malawi.

The 36th Cape Argus Pick ‘n’ Pay Cycle Tour is the largest individually-timed cycling event in the world as over 30 000 cyclists are expected to take part in the event.