By Nangamso Mabindla
20 May 2008

EAST LONDON has proved its ability to host successful national and international sporting events, and the National Cycling Championships held this month added to this record.

So far this year, the Specsavers Ironman 70.3 triathlon, the South African Airways Tennis Open, the National Dart Sailing Championships, and now the National Cycling Championships, have been held in the city. The success of these events has confirmed its place as one of the country's sports tourism destinations of choice.

The most recent sporting event held in East London was the National Cycling Champs, from 8 May to 11 May; race director, Henk van der Watt, said that everyone had enjoyed the tournament.

"Cyclists from all over the county enjoyed the South African National Cycling Championships tremendously and we received many positive comments about the quality of the event, the friendly people, the scenic and testing routes, as well as about the excellent venue."

He said that the organising committee had also received many compliments for its efforts.

"We attribute this achievement to teamwork, which was seen in the number of people involved in the organising of the event. [It] was a large success and has definitely placed Buffalo City back on the map in terms of cycling. The staging of the event also confirmed that cycling can be used as a tourist attraction."

Van der Watt thanked the municipality for its assistance in planning and staging the championships. "A special word of thanks goes to Colleen Durant, Randy Rogers, Armand Berg and Tony Britnow who ensured a safe and friendly environment.

"Cycling South Africa indicated that they would be pleased to see the event return to East London within the next five years as a result of the success achieved."