MUZI, CAROL CYCLING KING, QUEEN

EZULWINI – MTN Khemani’s Muzi Shabangu and Carol Preat are Swaziland’s road race cycling king and queen, respectively.

The duo was conferred with the national champion status after winning Swaziland’s premier cycling road race staged in Nhlangano in April. Friday night marked the decoration of the cyclists, who shone in the race, which is staged under the Total Swaziland banner. The award ceremony was staged at Sibane Hotel in Ezulwini. After winning the main race, which was 120km long, Shabangu and Preat will don the national team jerseys for the rest of the year.

The pair was further named the Under-23 and master category winners. Shabangu expressed hope that he would defend his title, stressing that he wanted to end local cyclists’ jinx in next Saturday’s Kukhanya Road Classic. During the event, where Deputy Prime Minister Paul Dlamini was a guest, all category winners made a stop on the podium. Newcomers, Dig Deep Club’s Simphiwe Dlamini, who is just 13, and the fast improving Malik McNamara from 4Eva, were among the juniors who sent a stern warning to their competitors by claiming prizes.

MTN Khemani, who had more cyclists in the top five in the main races, emerged as the best club on the night. Cycling Association of Swaziland (CAS) President Sihlangu Nhlabatsi, announced a decision to crown the past year’s champion Sicelo Phiri on the night as there was no award ceremony in the past year.

He got a portrait on top of the national team jersey.
Nhlabatsi thanked all stakeholders who were contributing to the development of the sport. Guests on the big night included Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala, Swaziland National Sports and Recreation Council (SNSRC) Chairman Lawrence ‘Lolo’ Mthethwa, CEO Darius Dlomo and his counterpart from the National Olympic Committee, Muriel Hofer.
Representing Total, cycling’s title sponsor, was Sindi Horton, who said her office was proud to be associated with the sport.
The winners got trophies on top of cash incentives of up to E4 000.

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