Tinaani Nyabereka
ZVISHAVANE – Tour de Great Dyke cycling event organizers, are set to transform the competition into an international competition, drawing participants from across the world.
The cycling event, which was initiated in 2016, organized by Nedbank was sponsored by companies including Unki, Mimosa, Zimplats, Utande, Econet, Ok Zim , OK Mart, YAFM among others.
The 2023 edition kicked off from Zimplats Complex on 2 November and saw professional and amateur cyclists cover over 300 kilometers while passing through Chegutu, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru, Shurugwi and ended in Zvishavane on Saturday October 4 at 12 noon.
Speaking on the sidelines of the just ended tour, Nedbank Tour Secretary Farai Sithole said plans were underway to turn the competition into a global event.
“We are happy to see this cycling event growing. We decided to be part of the Tour de Great Dyke seven years ago and we want to applaud other organizers and sponsors for the continued support of the event which brings together miners from different mining areas within the Great Dyke region.
“Certainly, we want it to become an international event. We want to have international cyclists,” he said.
Mashonaland West Minister of State Marian Chombo applauded Nedbank for coming up with the Great Dyke tour which she said should grow and become an international event.
“We are happy with this development and we are also optimistic that this event will grow and become an international event.
“This cycling event again fills an excellent need for fitness and wellness and dovetails with government’s quest to promote wellness and healthy living to all the citizens,” she said.
Tour de Great Dyke was launched to promote miner wellness and raise awareness on the investment opportunities in the 550km long, 12km wide Great Dyke geological complex. The Foundation has also supported a number of students at various levels of education.
The Great Dyke is a geological feature in Zimbabwe that consists of a band of short, narrow ridges and hills spanning for approximately 550 kilometers.
