Cell Smart/Digicel 20-Lap Aids Awareness Cycle Race unveiled

Feb 09, 2010 Sports

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Riders set to heat up outer circuit of Nat. Park on Valentine’s Day

By Franklin Wilson

Yet another lucrative race has been added to the cycling Calendar, the Cell Smart/Digicel 20 Lap Classic to be contested on the outer circuit of the National Park this Sunday, Valentine’s Day.
This event which is organised by the Kaieteur Cycle Club (KCC) has been sanctioned by the Guyana Cycling Federation and will be done in collaboration with the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS).
In sharing details and the thought behind this 50 mile event which will attract the cream of the country’s riders, Cell Smart Country Manager David Atkinson said apart from the event being a part of his company’s obligation of giving back to the community, they were inspired by the death of a former employee last October.
“It was inspired by the death last October of one of our former employees, Marlon Mack-Wilfred so this is something we want to do year by year to build HIV/AIDS awareness and also to promote healthy lifestyles. Sports is important to us here at Digicel and we would also like to improve cycling in Guyana.”
Speaking directly on the deadly HIV/AIDS epidemic, Atkinson said he recalls that at one time Guyana had the second highest rate of infected persons in the Caribbean but that is no longer the case. “But it still needs to be decreased. It’s still too much; so we are working in conjunction with NAPS and our aim is that everyone should know about the dangers, how to prevent, how to get tested and how to be careful.”
Sunday’s event which is anticipated to be very competitive, will see attractive cash prizes going to the first six seniors to cross the line, the winner pocketing $30,000. Second to 6th place will receive 25,000; 20, 000; 15,000; 10,000 and 5,000 respectively. Primes prizes will be given for each lap at $1,000 each while laps 5, 10 and 15 will attract special prizes which will be known on the day.
The first three juniors as well as the first three veterans (open) will also be rewarded handsomely.
While the riders can expect a bumper day, spectators will not be left out and according to Atkinson, they too will cash in on the attractive giveaways. “We’ll be giving out prizes during the race based on their (spectators) knowledge of the riders and other criteria.”
Airtime Limited Inc. which deals with electronic credit for Digicel phones will be assisting with some of the prizes.
Community Mobalisation Coordinator of NAPS Nazim Hussain in remarks said his entity was thrilled to be a part of the event while complimenting Cell Smart/Digicel for taking the lead by boldly stating that they were driven to do the event in memory of a colleague who fell short due to AIDS related illnesses.
“I don’t think I’ve heard of any other agency in this country especially the Private Sector who has done something like this. Further, using cycling as an avenue to sensitise the populace is laudable and this is indeed a very bold step. I would urge other agencies to recognize that HIV/AIDS is an issue to be dealt with because it is affecting human kind on the whole.”
NAPS, Hussain said will be having quite a long weekend since they will be doing activities to coincide with Valentine’s on Saturday – Couples day of testing.
“We’ll be having a booth at the National Park where cyclists, spectators, Cell Smart and Digicel staff and spectators can come and access information on HIV/AIDS and STI’s (sexually transmitted infections) and of course get free condoms. We will also be having giveaways, so persons can answer questions correctly and win small tokens.”
Digicel’s Retail Sales Manager Dwayne Scott reminded that Digicel is no stranger to sports noting that they have supported the HIV/AIDS Awareness Programmes through the various agencies and NGO’s continuously.
“Our partner and premier dealer Cell Smart came up with this initiative to honour of their employees who would have started with Digicel since we started in February of 2007 and we felt it was extremely helpful in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We are happy to be associated with this event but more so the purpose and aim. It’s a serious pandemic that the entire would is collectively trying to grapple with and we are happy for the part Digicel have and would be playing in the continued fight.”
President of KCC Malcolm Sonoram, who is also a member of the GCF Executive, thanked Cell Smart/Digicel for supporting cycling while urging spectators to come out in their numbers to support their stars and to benefit from the attractive giveaways that will be on offer.
“Cyclists must be attired in their club uniforms and must have their licenses present.”
Sonoram noted that the licenses issue with the GCF has been resolved and they have been granted the grace period that they had initially asked for.
“We have cyclists’ now registering because on Saturday we have the George Cumberbatch Memorial race-meet at the inner circuit of the National Park so riders have been registering.”

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