By 
By Chris Dlamini
For the 20th Nedbank Imvelo MTB Classic anniversary, Nedbank Eswatini has pumped E300 000 into the event.
The 2025 edition was officially launched at the main sponsor’s head offices in Mbabane on Friday. The bank’s Managing Director (MD) Fikile Nkosi announced the increased package from last year’s E250 000.
This was in the presence of the mountain bike race partners Big Game Parks led by General Manager (GM) Reilly and Eswatini Cycling Association (ECA) President William Kelly and Secretary Mxolisi Shongwe.
“As Nedbank Eswatini, we take pride in contributing sponsorship to the value of E300 000 towards the hosting of the 2025 Imvelo MTB Classic,” she announced, much to a huge round of applause.
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She said they encouraged cycling enthusiasts and clubs to register for the 20th edition of Imvelo MTB Classic via the Imvelo MTB Classic website and Facebook platform.
“They can also access the registration portal via Nedbank Eswatini’s social media platforms (Facebook, X, and LinkedIn).”
Nkosi made these remarks after having gone through the rich background of the competition and its benefits to communities around the country in basic services, while honouring the late veteran cyclist Vito with a moment of silence.
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The deceased was bumped to death in a road accident as he cycled at Thembelihle on Wednesday. Nkosi further paid tribute to Big Game Parks.
“Finally, I would like to pay special homage to Big Game Parks who pioneered the Imvelo MTB Classic and has been growing this event from a small community initiative with a handful of mountain bikers to the great internationally acclaimed event that is embedded in the country’s annual calendar. Big Game Parks, we salute you,” she said.
Meanwhile, all parties appreciated the sponsorship with ECA President William Kelly, like Nkosi, mourning Oliveira and decrying the fatalities on the road that were taking the lives of cyclists. He then announced a cycling indaba to address such issues and solutions on Saturday.
The cycling Indaba will be held at Mountain View from 10 am.
