La Mercy cycling team ready for next step

The La Mercy-based Team SIATA Academy is forging the next generation of South African professional cyclists.

Founded by Ibrahim Sharif in 2018, the academy currently supports 16 riders, mostly from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, in under-11, -15, -17 and -19 age groups.

Riders have largely been sourced from the surrounding areas of Durban, although some have come from as far afield as Gauteng and Sharif said they received hundreds of applications every year.

Originally from Nigeria and a trained pilot by profession, Sharif began cycling seriously in the early 2010s and wanted to give back in the sport.

“When I began competing in cycling I noticed that there was a barrier to entry for young talents who did not have the funds to properly train,” said Sharif, who is also the vice-president of the KwaZulu-Natal Cycling Commission.

“It is important for the youth to embrace cycling if South Africa is to produce professionals on the world stage.”

Originally fully funded by his company, SIATA Aviation, the academy was later registered as an NPC and is partly reliant on donations.

“When we started it was just a few boys and they were using my race bikes to train. Now we are able to have a full-time clubhouse in La Mercy which offers housing and further support,” he said.

Earlier this year, Team SIATA also welcomed their first female rider, 13-year-old Olwakhe Masuku from KwaMashu.

“Once signed to the team, the costs for food, nutrition, training, equipment and race entries are completely covered, which allows them to focus fully on their cycling.”

And the academy has already uncovered some promising talent, including two riders who raced in a six-day tour in Panama in 2019 and two more who will join a professional team in Poland next year.

This aside from the team that enters most major races in KZN and a few across the country every year.

“Our main focus is on road-racing but we offer training in mountain biking and BMX too. We also place a high impetus on education.”

“If the riders don’t make it as professionals, we hope to set them up for careers in team management, sports science and as future trainers within SIATA.”

You can cheer for the team at the upcoming Amashova Durban Classic next month and visit their social media pages on Instagram and Facebook to find out more.

If you would like to join the team as a sponsor, you can find contact details at teamsiata.africa.

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