SAPS cyclists kitted out
Illovo supported the growing SAPS KZN cycling team by donating full kit to club members.
THE SAPS KZN cycling team received new cycling kit sponsored by Illovo Sugar South Africa last week.
The official handover ceremony took place outside the Moses Mabhida Stadium before the team training ride from People’s Park.
Even though the SAPS cycling team has been in existence for a number of years, the prominence of the KZN club and team has only recently grown in popularity and importance among the men and women in blue. The SAPS KZN Cycling Club which has grown in leaps and bounds over the last two years, now boasts a professional team ready to compete on a national level.
According to Karl Sander, local Detective Warrant Officer and chairman of the SAPS KZN cycling club, the Durban community has benefited as much from the increased participation and intensity of the SAPS KZN Cycling Club as the officers themselves.
“Not only has the growth of the club resulted in the increased productivity of officers who participate in it, but we’ve also found that many civilians have started joining our training rides due to the safety element they feel being accompanied by police officers provides them. The training routes we’ve been riding have opened up a whole new terrain for some cyclists, especially women, who now feel comfortable riding with the SAPS team in areas they would normally never go by themselves. From the officers’ perspective, this club hasn’t only helped with releasing the tension and stress that comes with the job, but the various health benefits such as weight-loss and increased fitness have also helped increase motivation and overall productivity of the SAPS officers who have joined the club,” said Sander.
Darrell de Wet, marketing manger for Illovo Sugar SA is excited to be able to help the SAPS KZN team achieve their goals through the donation of the normally expensive kit.
“Illovo Sugar South Africa recognises the tough environment in which our police force operates. We also recognise the good work the police force does within our communities. In providing this kit we acknowledge and say thank you to the officers, and in particular to the cyclists, for their efforts.”
Detective Sander is delighted and grateful for the donation by Illovo Sugar SA and believes the team will put it to good use.
“Most officers are not always able to purchase such top quality cycling gear, so the Illovo kit will really go a long way and will be used regularly for training, day-to-day cycling as well as for events. We will take part in two of Illovo’s events this year, the Illovo Eston MTB event and the Illovo Wartburg ride,” added Sander.
Colonel Brian Dafel from Hawks DPCI and club secretary of the SAPS KZN Cycling Club, is proud of the progress the club has made in recent years.
“The SAPS cycling team is truly inclusive, any member of the SAPS is encouraged to join the team and we help develop anyone who is keen to join in, regardless of their gender or background. There’s a great support structure in place for the guys and the top bosses of SAPS have acknowledged the good the club has already done for the officers involved and have further endorsed the club’s training and team efforts”, said Colonel Dafel.
The team is currently in training for the SA Road Champs due to take place between 4 and 8 February 2014 and will be cycling in their new kit, ready to take on the other SAPS provincial teams to compete for a spot in the national SAPS team.
