SOUTH AFRICA (December 2016) – On 18 February 2017 hundreds of participants will again take part in the prestigious Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge in George.  For the past 14 years, the City of George successfully hosted this event which is endorsed by the South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD), South African Sports Confederation (SASCOC) and Disability Sports South Africa (DISSA).  On the day, the community of George unites in an epic exertion to ensure that all participants enjoy this event which tests the competitive ability of the broader disabled community.

George Airport and George Municipality has always substantially supported the OCC as sponsors.  The City of George annually welcomes more than 1500 of national and international participants and with the cumulative monetary and logistical support of George Airport and George Municipality an event of international standards is put forward.   Athletes in racing wheelchairs, hand cycles, basketball chairs and ordinary wheelchairs take on the challenge which is not only about speed, but also endurance in different race categories which include the 42,2km marathon, 21,1km half marathon, 10 km race and a five kilometre fun event.

The Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge has proven itself as a notable international sporting event over the past 14 years.  The business sector of George is now more than ever encouraged to look at this event with a long-term approach with the focus on building relationships and making a tangible difference.  By becoming involved businesses will make a conscious investment (however big or small) in the future of the local disabled community and impact on the national and international disabled communities.

The week prior to the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge a number of awareness campaigns will be hosted in George.  Details of these events will appear in local media.  For further information, please contact Ansie Swart on 079 3974655 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

SUID AFRIKA (Februarie 2017) –Die 15de jaarlikse Outeniqua Rolstoel Uitdaging vind plaas op 18 Februarie 2017 in die strate van George.  Die organiseerders van die geleentheid is opgewonde om aan te kondig dat Martelize Brink, RSG Radio-omroeper en motiveringsspreker, die geleentheid sal bywoon om haar ondersteuning aan die nagenoeg 1500 nationale en internationale te bewys.

Bekende RSG radio-omroeper, Martelize Brink, het die gebruik van haar bene op ‘n onverklaarbare wyse as tienermeisie verloor.  Al is sy gebonde aan ‘n rolstoel het sy nooit haar sin vir humor, aansteeklike lewenslus en passie vir sport verloor nie.  Martelize glo in ‘n inklusiewe samelewing and dat alle gestremde persone aktief in hulle gemeenskappe moet deelneem.  Haar lewensfilosofie is “Jy doen sleg wanneer jy niks goed doen nie.”  Haar teenwoordigheid by die Outeniqua Rolstoel UItdaging sal ongetwyfeld ‘n inspirasie vir menige wees.  As motiveringspreker het Martelize heelwat om te bied aan die deelnemers van die geleentheid. 

Met die borgskappe van Airports Company South Africa en George Munisipaliteit, word essensiële monitêre en logistieke bystand verleen. Die ondersteuning van verskeie ander borge is aangrypend met die skenk van dienste, geld en produkte wat sonder huiwer angebied word.  Die geleentheid sal, soos die vorige 14 jaar, weer van internationale standaard wees.  Die nuwe roete sal steeds die 42,2km maraton, 21,1km half maraton, 10 km wedren en die pret geleentheid insluit.  Die 10km wedren begin om 07:30, die pret geleentheid begin om ongeveer 08:30 en die 21.1 km & 42,2km begin om 09:30.  Die publiek word aangemoedig om betrokke te raak as vrywilligers by die pret geleentheid. 

Die publiek sal ook verskeie bewusmakings geleenthede wat in George aangebied word die week voor die Outeniqua Rolstoel Uitdaging kan geniet.  Besonderhede van hierdie geleenthede sal in die plaaslike media gepubliseer word.  Vir meer inligting kontak asseblief vir Ansie Swart op 079 3974655 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

SOUTH AFRICA (February 2017) –On Friday 17 February 2017 the 15^th annual Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge for Schools will take place in the Garden Route Mall’s parking area.  For the past 14 years children have been looking forward to take part in this fun event.  Organisers have been working hard to ensure another successful OCC Schools event where much needed awareness is raised for people with disabilities.

12 Schools are taking part in this year’s event with an estimated 374 learners in attendance.  20 Learners of each school will take part in a number of fun activities. The following primary schools will be taking part: M.M.Mateza; Tyholora; Thembalethu; Mzoxolo; Heidedal; Conville; Rosemore; Hibernia; Delville Park; New Dawn Park; Pacaltsdorp and Kretzenshoop The learners will be picked up at their schools at 12:00 on Friday and transported to the Garden Route Mall parking area.  The event starts at 14:00 in the parking area across from Mac Donald’s.  The sponsorship of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport makes it possible for the organisers to present a fun-filled event for everyone.  Afterwards the children will be treated to hotdogs and juice.  It is touching to see able bodied children in wheelchairs have much more empathy for people in wheelchairs once they realise the everyday challenges disabled people live with. 

The 15^th annual Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge takes place on Saturday 18 February 2017 and participants will enjoy a new route which include the 42,2km marathon, 21,1km half marathon, 10 km race and a fun event.  The 10km race starts at 07:30, the fun ride starts at approximately 08:30 and the 21.1 km & 42,2km starts at 09:30. The sponsorships of Airports Company South Africa, George Municipality and various other sponsors provide monetary and essential logistical support so that another OCC of international standard is presented.  The public is encouraged to get involved as volunteers to assist with the fun ride.

Enjoy the fun OCC Schools awareness campaign on 17 February 2017 and be on the lookout for more awareness campaigns hosted in George during next week prior to the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge.  Details of these events will appear in local media.  For further information, please contact Ansie Swart on 079 3974655 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

SOUTH AFRICA (January 2017) – The Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge has been given SA National Championship status for the last four years.  It is therefore no wonder that the physically disabled community of South Africa is counting the days until this year’s event! On 18 February 2017 more than a 1500 national and international participants will again take part in the four different race categories of the 15^th annual OCC in George. 

The organisers of the OCC are pleased to announce that George Airport will again be the main sponsor of the event. George Airport confirmed that supporting the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge is one of the main focus areas of their corporate social investment plan. This sponsorship enables the organising committee to host an event of international standard while assisting South Africa’s local and national athletes in identifying their talent and to compete against International athletes, and creating an opportunity for ordinary persons with physical disabilities to build their self-esteem and restore dignity in lives that have long forgotten their own abilities.

George Municipality has acted as host city for the OCC for the past 14 years, providing monetary and essential logistical support.  As main co-sponsor George Municipality assists in maximising safety by granting permission to close the entire route to traffic, with more than 130 volunteer George residents serving as marshals to assist the local Traffic and Law Enforcement officials on the route. Paralympian Ernst van Dyk has competed in every single OCC race since the event’s launch 14 years ago and he will again join participants this year in the different race categories which include the 42,2km marathon, 21,1km half marathon, 10 km race and a five kilometre fun event. 

Members of the public will be able to enjoy a number of awareness campaigns hosted in George the week prior to the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge.  Details of these events will appear in local media.  For further information, please contact Ansie Swart on 079 3974655 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .