Transport boss pedals in support of drug-free sports

28 October 2012 - 10:49 By DOREEN PREMDEV
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Image: Extra

The last time Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi rode a bicycle was 34 years ago when he was a carefree 18-year-old university student.

Vadi, 52, started cycling five weeks ago in preparation for the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge, which will be held in Johannesburg on November 18.

He was approached by the Institute of Drug-Free Sport CEO Khalid Galant to be part of the cycle challenge but had no idea what Galant had planned for him.

"When I was contacted by Galant, I was keen to help him endorse the race. I thought they wanted me to cut the ribbon at the start of the race.

"It has been more than three decades since I last rode a bicycle, so I was reluctant. But Galant was persistent and refused to take no for an answer," said Vadi.

Since he began training, the longest distance Vadi has done is 65kms, which took him four hours to complete.

Last weekend, Vadi led the Institute for Drug-Free Sports I Play Fair team in a 32km training ride from the Cycle Lab in Fourways to Lanseria and back. The team will ride together in the cycle challenge.

"I had forgotten how wonderful it is to cycle. I feel great now that I amcycling again. I even got my wife, Zerina, a mountain bike last week so we can cycle together.

"I hope to get others involved in cycling - it's cost effective, easy on the environment and keeps you fit.

"I intend to continue cycling even after the cycle challenge," said Vadi.

Galant said Vadi would lead the I Play Fair team in the cycle challenge.

"The sporting community is encouraged by the participation of policy makers like Vadi in the wake of the precedent set by the Minister of Sport [Fikile Mbalula] with his participation in the 2012 Argus Cycle Tour as part of the I Play Fair team," said Galant in a statement.

"Partnering with entities such as Drug-Free Sport is to promote different modes of transport and a healthier society."

Galant said the Momentum 94.7 cycle race was the largest cycle event in Gauteng which could generate maximum awareness for the drug-free sport campaign.

The Highveld Stereo team is made up of various public figures and celebrities from sport and other professions, including swimming legend, Natalie du Toit, motorsport champion Gugu Zulu, South African football legend Mark Fish and Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund.

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