Celebrate Mandela Day with Laureus Sport for Good
On the 102nd anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth, Laureus Sport for Good will honour their first patron, the man instrumental in defining the ethos and values of Laureus Sport for Good with two virtual 67 minute Sport for Good Pelotons.
Laureus Sport for Good is a support Sport for Development programme which enhances the social and emotional development of children and young people in disadvantaged communities.
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NTT Pro Cycling, which are Laureus ambassadors, traditionally use July 18 to celebrate the life and values of Nelson Mandela. In the absence of the Tour de France taking place during its traditional window, the team is uniting with Laureus to virtually engage with cycling fans, unite through the power of cycling and raise funds for Laureus Sport for Good.On July 18, two rides will be hosted on the Zwift platform, one at 9am and a second at 6pm. Sports fans are invited to join cyclists from NTT Pro Cycling and a host of sporting legends and celebrities in raising awareness and much-needed funds to support vulnerable young people around the world.
Laureus Academy members Sean Fitzpatrick, Chris Hoy, Morné du Plessis, Hugo Porta, Daley Thompson and Steve Waugh will participate on Mandela Day, along with a host of Laureus ambassadors including Schalk Brits and NTT Pro Cycling team principal Douglas Ryder, with cameo appearances from his NTT Pro Cycling riders.While there is no cost to join the Sport for Good Peloton, donations are encouraged, with all funds raised on the day going to supporting young people impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic through the Sport for Good Response Fund.
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The Sport for Good Response Fund aims to ensure sport for development programmes are empowered and deliver new or adaptive provision to continue supporting children and young people during the current pandemic. The fund will also offer financial support to the sports-based development programmes at the heart of communities around the world so that they can withstand the challenges of this immediate stage and help build stronger young people once restrictions are lifted.
Du Plessis said: Twenty years ago, Nelson Mandela stood on stage at the first Laureus Awards and inspired us all with his words about the power sport can have in changing the world for the better. In 2020, those words are as relevant and important as ever. We are honoured to be uniting with our wonderful ambassadors NTT Pro Cycling and the Laureus family around the world this Mandela Day, celebrating the great man and raising funds to support the incredible work of Laureus Sport for Good. Join us.
Ryder said: Celebrating Mandela Day is an occasion that always resonates deeply with our team, and to be able to do so in our role as Laureus ambassadors is such a great privilege. Our shared belief in the inherent power that sport has to do good makes this bold, new initiative hugely exciting, and we can’t wait for our team to be involved once again for such a fantastic cause.Over the last 20 years, Laureus Sport for Good has raised more than 150-million (R2 847 925 500) for the Sport for Development sector, reaching and helping change the lives of almost six million children and young people since 2000. Laureus Sport for Good supports more than 200 programmes in over 40 countries that use the power of sport to transform lives.
