Organisers of the Winter Series Maxima Challenge say cycling is a sport that can further help boost Malawi’s tourism sector, if taken seriously.
Chairperson of the organisation, Paul Kennedy made the remark during an interview with Malawi News Agency on June 21, ahead of the fourth mountain bike ride winter series challenge, which will take place in Dedza on June 30.
“We have observed that online search by different people on options about touring Malawi; many choose cycling as the common mode of moving around the country,” said Kennedy. “Cycling attracts a good number international participants, it gives tourists a better idea of the riding terrain and this is important to the growth of the tourism industry,” reports Malawi News Agency.
According to Kennedy, the Winter Series Maxima Challenge plans to introduce a three-day cycling race as a means of attracting international tourists.
The mountain bike winter series challenge would be divided into two categories, a men’s race and a women’s race, with different prizes for first, second and third place, said Kennedy.
Activities lined up for the day include short and long races. The longest will start in Dedza and end in Lilongwe, covering 42 kilometres, and the shorter route will cover 24 kilometres.
During the event, international participants will be required to pay an entry fee of K15 000 (€17), and local racers will be expected to pay K3 000 (€3.5).
The proceeds of the Mountain Bike Winter Series Maxima Challenge, which launched last year in Zomba, go towards buying tree seedlings for Zomba Mountain Forest Reserve.
