Cycling initiative gathers pace in Lüderitz

Spartans Cycling Club recently hosted a fun ride in Lüderitz as it looks to grow the sport and develop young riders in the ǁKharas Region. 

The club was founded by Victor Gowaseb after a BMX cycling project introduced during the 2025 Lüderitz Crayfish Festival inspired him to establish a local cycling programme.

His mission is to identify and train riders to compete at the national championships later this year. "I started the club to develop young cyclists in Lüderitz and the ǁKharas Region. The aim is to develop riders who can compete at the national championships, the Commonwealth Games and the African Games," Gowaseb said. 

He said the club, the only cycling club in the region, also aims to encourage young people to take up cycling as a positive alternative to drug and alcohol abuse. "Through cycling, you learn self-respect and respect for your peers and teammates. It is also good for your respiratory system and heart, and it gives young people something positive to work towards," he said.

Eleven cyclists took part in the club's first event. "It was fun, and everything went well despite the very cold weather," Gowaseb said. He said 16 cyclists entered the second event, with the youngest participant aged four. "It shows you are never too young or too old to start cycling," he said.

Registration costs N$60 per cyclist for each event. Gowaseb said children who cannot afford the registration fee would not be turned away. "Parents should still bring their children if they have a bicycle and can ride. If a bicycle needs repairs, let me know and I will see what can be done," he said.

He also appealed to businesses to sponsor helmets for young riders. "I cannot allow children to ride without helmets or while wearing open shoes. Our policy is 'no helmet, no ride', and that is preventing some children from taking part," he said.

Gowaseb said preparations were already under way for the club's next event. "We plan to host our third event for young riders within the next two months. I also hope to introduce categories for adult cyclists," he said.

Results

• Under-6: Aryan Korner and Aleyandra Feris were declared joint winners.
• Under-8: Aiden Feris (boys) and Lia Manns (girls).
• Under-10 girls: First Mickal Isaacks; second Gabriela Goliath.
• Under-10 boys: First Alfred //Gowaseb; second Lukai Munns; third Carlyle Korner.
• Under-14: First Morgan //Gowaseb; second Danilo Martin; third Timothy Mungandel.
• Under-16: First Walker Richards; second Randy Garu-nab; third Hafeni Venasiu.