African cycling received a boost with the signing of a co-operation agreement between the Confederation of African Cycling and the European Cycling Union at the inaugural CAC Forum in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.
CAC President Dr Wagih Azzam (left) and his European counterpart, David Lappartient (right- European Cycling Union President), pictured with UCI President Brian Cookson (centre) at the inaugural 2015 CAC Forum Photo: Andrew McFadden/BOOGS Photography
CAC president Dr Wagih Azzam and European counterpart David Lappartient formalised the partnership, which will see Africa take another step on the world stage.
The ECU recognised its role in sustainably developing and uplifting standards of competitive cycling on the continent by sharing resources and best practices with individual federations through CAC.
The agreement is not limited to cyclists but also to the development of officials, commissaires and coaches.
UCI president Brian Cookson said his organisation already had projects in place in Africa.
“The UCI hosts numerous coaching and mechanic courses. Twenty-six coaches including four women from 12 countries have completed a coaching course just this week.
“After each day of racing at the African continental championships held in Wartburg earlier this year, 17 mechanics and 25 coaches attended courses led by experts from the UCI World Cycling Centre.”
Azzam reflected on the growth in African cycling, saying that in 1995 there were only 16 national federations compared to the 48 today.
Cycling SA president William Newman said there was a hunger for knowledge from national federations on topics like corporate governance, anti-doping, and partnering with cities to make the sport commercially viable.
“We will definitely look within CAC to see how best we can impart this knowledge and continue this information sharing.
“This comes at the right time when African cycling is on a high in terms of the Tour de France exploits and Africa must now grab the opportunity to continue on the path of learning and growth.”
