Publications
Partners
Cape Town - A dispute between Pedal Power Association (PPA) and Cycling South Africa (CSA) could see the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour fall victim.
According to the IOL Sport website, the PPA and CSA are at loggerheads over changes to the national body’s constitution. The PPA has filed an application to the Western Cape High Court to contest changes made last year, which it claims saw them being written out of CSA’s constitution.
The changes include a requirement that all riders taking part in events, even fun rides, would have to be licensed with the national body.
The PPA feels the licensing fee will stunt the growth of local cycling and also leave the association controlled by CSA.
However, CSA warned that if the PPA did not conform to the changes, events such the Cycle Tour could be declared unsanctioned, barring CSA's licensed riders, which includes most of the country’s top cyclists, from participating.
PPA chairperson Steve Haywood, whose association facilitates the Cycle Tour, said: “In reality, (these licensed riders) represent just 1 percent of the number of people who take part… It won’t be a massive blow, but it would be unfortunate. I don’t see (CSA) declaring it unsanctioned. It would see hundreds of top riders missing out on a chance to compete.”
Haywood called the changes "illegal" and believed it would compromise the majority of their riders.
“You can’t tax people for going out on a fun ride… Most of our rides take place for charities, now what is going to happen? Young people want to take part, and now the poor child has to take out a licence. Casual riders are just not going to see the benefits of this. All the money goes towards funding the pro riders instead.”
An annual licence costs R75, while a one-day licence is R30.
CSA president William Newman said the changes are beneficial to cycling in South Africa.
“I don’t see the licence as a tax - the licensing is necessary… It’s a way for us to unify the sport and nurture athletes."
According to the IOL Sport website, the PPA and CSA are at loggerheads over changes to the national body’s constitution. The PPA has filed an application to the Western Cape High Court to contest changes made last year, which it claims saw them being written out of CSA’s constitution.
The changes include a requirement that all riders taking part in events, even fun rides, would have to be licensed with the national body.
The PPA feels the licensing fee will stunt the growth of local cycling and also leave the association controlled by CSA.
However, CSA warned that if the PPA did not conform to the changes, events such the Cycle Tour could be declared unsanctioned, barring CSA's licensed riders, which includes most of the country’s top cyclists, from participating.
PPA chairperson Steve Haywood, whose association facilitates the Cycle Tour, said: “In reality, (these licensed riders) represent just 1 percent of the number of people who take part… It won’t be a massive blow, but it would be unfortunate. I don’t see (CSA) declaring it unsanctioned. It would see hundreds of top riders missing out on a chance to compete.”
Haywood called the changes "illegal" and believed it would compromise the majority of their riders.
“You can’t tax people for going out on a fun ride… Most of our rides take place for charities, now what is going to happen? Young people want to take part, and now the poor child has to take out a licence. Casual riders are just not going to see the benefits of this. All the money goes towards funding the pro riders instead.”
An annual licence costs R75, while a one-day licence is R30.
CSA president William Newman said the changes are beneficial to cycling in South Africa.
“I don’t see the licence as a tax - the licensing is necessary… It’s a way for us to unify the sport and nurture athletes."
