Prowealth reaffirmed its commitment to cycling in Namibia when it renewed contracts with its four top cyclists in Windhoek on Wednesday afternoon.
Prowealth group of companies, which is an integrated financial services provider, became involved in started cycling six years ago and since then their support has grown slowly but surely.
â??We started on a small scale, but with our limited resources we achieved a lot over the years,â? Prowealthâ??s director Riaan Potgieter said.
â??Today we invest about N$40 000 in cycling per year and we are proud of our association with the sport. It has boosted our image, while (in Namibia) it is a clean sport without any controversy,â? he said.
In recent years Prowealth has developed into one of the leading cycling teams in Namibia and at last yearâ??s Tour de Windhoek in October, Prowealth won all the major awards. Besides winning the overall team competition, Jacques Celliers won the Elite menâ??s category, Nick du Plessis won the veteran menâ??s category and Heiko Redecker won the junior menâ??s category.
This year Prowealth renewed contracts with its top cyclists, Jacques Celliers, Nick du Plessis, Johan Fourie and Heiko Redecker.
In terms of the contracts the cyclists receive remuneration for medal placings at cycling events, going up to N$1 000 for gold medals at major events like the Nedbank Cycle Tour or the Namibian Cycle Classic. The cyclists also receive technical support, clothing and equipment.
Prowealthâ??s general manager Pieter Lingenfelder said they were committed to the development of cycling and had decided to offer Redecker a contract because of his dedication and success.
â??Heiko trains hard and has been doing very well and we are proud of him,â? he said. Lingenfelder added that they were committed to supporting previously disadvantaged cyclists.
â??We have identified three cyclists, but we first want to see how committed they are,â? he said.
Jacques Celliers thanked Prowealth, saying that they were fortunate to have their support.
â??All we can do as athletes is to be seen in your clothing, to behave in your clothing, and to be seen doing well in the media,â? he said.