Pride of African cycling join the Laureus family
Africa’s first Pro-Continental cycling team, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung, has proudly joined the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation’s elite group of sporting ambassadors. World-famous long distance athlete Elana Meyer as well as champion wheelchair racer and hand cyclist Ernst van Dyk, both Laureus Ambassadors, welcomed the team to the Laureus family during their training camp for the 2015 season at Spier Wine Estate in the Western Cape.
Following on from their fantastic 2013 debut season on the international cycling stage, the MTN-Qhubeka riders made history on 23 August 2014 as the first African team to compete in a Grand Tour, La Vuelta (the Tour of Spain). The team is now working towards participation in next year’s edition of the Tour De France whilst also focusing on developing young African cycling talent.
Team MTN-Qhubeka rides to raise awareness and funds for the Qhubeka initiative, a charity dedicated to mobilizing people in Africa by distributing bicycles to underprivileged children in rural communities.
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa Chairman, Morné du Plessis, said: “Team MTN-Qhubeka’s values and goals are strongly aligned with those of Laureus. We are delighted to welcome the team to our passionate ambassador network and look forward to working hand in hand to give young people the skills and opportunities to reach their potential through sport.”
“Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung is honoured to be welcomed into the Laureus family and be a part of the iconic ambassador network. Our team has worked really hard to become a force to be reckoned with in world cycling whilst raising awareness for the Qhubeka charity’s ‘bicycles change lives’ initiative. To become a part of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation’s elite group shows that our efforts have not gone unnoticed and this will drive us to greater heights”, added Douglas Ryder, Team Principal of Team MTN-Qhubeka.
Laureus Ambassadors are a select group of current and former sportsmen and women around the world who have achieved sporting greatness or made significant contributions to the sporting community during their careers. They are recognised as role models and icons of success and have volunteered their services to support the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
