Renewing acquaintances with old friends in a competitive arena is one of the key themes behind the Varsity MTB Challenge in Paarl next month.
Besides that, former Springbok rugby captain Francois Pienaar says the two-day festival, starting at Nederburg on September 30, gives students a chance to race against their peers, while the event is also open to the general public.
Following the successful Varsity Sports concept launched by Advent Sport and Entertainment Media (Asem), company chief executive Pienaar said it was a chance for alumni to recreate the camaraderie they enjoyed in their student days.
He said Asem’s vision was to create a mountain bike race aimed at university alumni and the general cycling community.
ASEM chief executive Francois Pienaar is looking forward to the second edition of the Varsity MTB Challenge to be held in Paarl on September 30 and October 1. Photo: Robert Ward
He added that the country’s eight top university teams competed in a separate race within the Challenge.
The passion alumni felt for their alma maters had translated into a successful Varsity Sports concept, said Pienaar.
“Sport and cultural events unite people like little else,” he said.
“It also gives you the opportunity to be part of a team. We all want to belong to something and what better place to create community and healthy rivalry than on and around the sports field.”
He added that the Varsity MTB Challenge was unique as it was the only mountain bike race in SA where the public could ride for the university of their choice.
Pienaar said the success of the Varsity Cup rugby competition had resulted in a growing Varsity Sports concept.
“Only a handful of people believed the inter-collegiate concept similar to the model in the US could work here,” he said.
“The concept is quite simple – fostering and supporting the development of talent in South Africa, supported by a structured sponsorship and investment platform at a grassroots level.”
He added that it provided a springboard for young talent to progress to higher honours as they gained exposure through the different sporting tournaments.
