Press Releases

MTN rides with new MTN Pro Team Cycling Sponsorship

MTN South Africa are the new 2007 joint sponsors of the Pro Team cycling team that represents some of the best talent in the country.

The Pro Team comprises some of the most accomplished professional cyclists in the country including Malcolm Lange, Nicholas White, Daniel Spence, Daryl Impey, Neil MacDonald, Waylon Woolcock, Douglas Ryder and Jamie Ball.

“Sport sponsorship remains an important focus for MTN South Africa, with recent investments into popular spectator sports such as soccer and cricket, at both local and international levels. South Africa is a keen sporting nation and we believe involvement in sport adds value to our customers beyond our services,” says Bernice Samuels, general manager, strategy and marketing for MTN South Africa.

The Pro Team is currently sponsored by Microsoft exclusively till the end of 2006. In 2007 the pro Team will be jointly sponsored by MTN and Microsoft and will be known as the MTN Microsoft Cycling Team and the MTN Cycling Team in 2008.

Douglas Ryder, a member of the Pro Team says: “It is very exciting to have another global sponsor like MTN show its support for this rapidly growing sport. For the past five years we have enjoyed wonderful support from Microsoft and are looking forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with MTN, another excellent household brand that many South Africans interact with on a daily basis.”

The sponsorship will also give South African sport development boost. As part of the sponsorship deal, the high profile Pro Team cyclists will be promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging participation in cycling at development level through their affiliation to the MTN Cycling Academy. Their involvement is aimed at developing the sport to produce cyclists with world-class competitive ability.

For MTN the commitment starts at home. “We have also identified a huge demand from staff for support of an internal cycling club and we are eager to encourage staff participation in this area,” says Samuels. MTN’s internal staff cycling club will be incorporated into the current Club 100, to form one of South Africa’s largest cycling clubs, which will be known as MTN Club 100 from January 2007.

“Membership to MTN Club 100 is open to all staff members and their immediate family who wish to join, from beginner to professional.” concludes Samuels.