Dis-chem Ride for Sight cancelled
The race, which traditionally takes place at the Boksburg City Stadium, will again be held at the same venue in February 2022
For the first time in the race’s 32-year history, organisers of the Dis-Chem Ride for Sight have been forced to cancel the race this year due to rising concerns surrounding the pandemic.
The race, which traditionally takes place at the Boksburg City Stadium, will again be held at the same venue in February 2022 and next year’s race will now be the 33rd version instead of 34.
The event has raised R10-million over the last 32 years to find treatment for retinal blindness.
The event, which is one of the highlights of the Gauteng cycling calendar and is organised and staffed by volunteers, aims to fight retinal blindness and organisers are not letting the cancellation of the race distract them from continuing to raise awareness and funds towards retinal blindness.
A statement from Retina South Africa, which forms part of the organising of the race, read:
“Due to the continuing restrictions, we had hoped to stage the Ride at the end of April; however, we have now taken the painful decision to cancel the 2021 event.
“We know that besides participating in our event, cycling to restore the gift of sight is also a huge factor.
We have had to cancel the ride and other special events, leading to a huge decline in our income. We are now using reserves to pay our staff and we have had to reduce our 2021 grant to the Retinal Research Project at UCT to a quarter of their requirement.
“If you would like to assist us, at no cost to you, please nominate Retina South Africa as a beneficiary at www.myschool.co.zaDusty has his say
Defending champion of the race Dusty Day, who began his soliloquy to the Advertiser by giving a tribute to his sponsor, Barzani Pro Cycling, expressed his disappointment to the outcome but quickly highlighted that there is nothing cyclists can do about the Covid-19 conditions.
“I wish the organisers would’ve postponed the race instead, but it’s one of those things you have to accept and move on. There’s nothing good that will come from the cancellation because it affects our sponsors who depend on results and exposure,” he lamented.
“There are already a handful of cycling events in a calendar and Ride for Sight is one of the biggest ones, and road cycling has been taking a hit in recent years financially.
“Different type of races suit different cyclists and Ride for Sight suits me and my brother very well, so it’s quite disappointing,” explained Day before heaping praise on the race itself.
“The Dis-Chem Ride for Sight is one of the few races which looks after cyclists: the recognition we receive, the prize money and the prize-giving ceremony itself.”
Day’s brother, Tyler, won the race in 2015.
Retina South Africa banking details:
Retina South Africa
Standard Bank
Bedford Gardens
Branch code – 018305
Account number – 020312164
Reference – your name and cellphone number.
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