With a few months to go before one of Africa's premiere multisport events, preparation for the BSG Energade Triathlon Series is underway. It was today announced by Energade's senior brand manager, Kerryann Kitshoff, that business and software solutions delivery company BSG (Africa) has signed a four year deal as co-sponsor of this popular seven-event series.
An alliance Kitshoff said that would immediately contribute to the 2008 series having the biggest purse in this competition's 14 year history with nearly R200 000 in prize money up for grabs in the senior event.
The co-sponsorship also benefits the development of triathlons amongst children and young teenagers as BSG has also signed on to co-sponsor the BSG Energade Junior Triathlon Series. Started last year to get kids active, outdoors and involved in this exciting tri-discipline sport, the junior series is open to children between the ages of five and 14.
Why would a company so removed from the sport industry be interested in co-sponsoring these Triseries events? Greg Reis, CEO at BSG, says that the attraction to the Triseries is in the fact that success at a triathlon is achieved in much the same way that BSG has achieved many of its successes. BSG is a company that prides itself on pushing boundaries and continuously challenging itself. Driven by performance excellence, BSG's committed and dedicated people understand that success requires the hard work to be put in beforehand and that adhering to defined plans is essential. This multi-disciplined organisation understands that the skilful interaction across its diverse delivery areas ensures quality outcomes internally, in turn resulting in consistent project delivery success to customers. Adaptability, versatility, flexibility and endurance being the key enablers, much like they are for triathletes.
"At BSG, our focus internally is on running an organisation whose people lead a balanced lifestyle. This leads to happy and healthy employees which, ultimately, positively affects productivity. When it comes to our customers, our aim is to deliver outcomes that are 'fit for purpose'. These results help create organisations that are 'lean' and efficient. In the same way that an individual enjoys the benefits of having a healthy body, our customers reap rewards in that they achieve operational effectiveness, together with ensuring their technology assets sweat for them, which ultimately creates a competitive advantage. This is our brand promise," says Reis.
"We feel this sponsorship is an investment in our people, our customers and our community as it will ultimately lead to healthier people, stronger relationships, enriched communities and nurture future Olympic champions," says Reis. He adds, "Social responsibility is a cause that is very close to our hearts. We believe that sport is an effective tool to bridge boundaries and social divides. Our sponsorship of the Triseries is an ideal way to partner teams from varying socio-economic backgrounds that would, under normal circumstances, not have had the opportunity to interact."
Commenting on the former, Energade's senior brand manager, said that this series has, from humble beginnings with only three races and a few hundred competitors, grown in stature to play an important role in creating a platform for South African triathletes to hone their skills for the world stage.
"This is evident in the recent selection of three previous champions, Hendrik de Villiers, Kate Roberts and Marie Rabie for the SA team that will be going to the Beijing Olympic Games next month," adds Kitshoff.
While the likes of Hendrik, Kate and Marie battle it out with the world's best for Olympic glory, BSG Energade Triathlon Series organiser, Corn'e Grobler, encourages all local triathletes to start training and entering for the action packed seven-event local series to be held at various venues across the country.
"With the junior races taking place (8am start) prior to the main event (9.30am start), the BSG Energade Triathlon Series is a perfect family sporting affair. It doesn't matter if you are seven or seventy, this series caters for everyone and you also don't need to be a star swimmer, cyclist or runner to participate," adds Grobler.
Individuals or teams can compete and the distances are such that even beginners will find a Triseries race challenging but not impossible to complete.
Entries are already being accepted and prospective participants can enter now for the main event online at www.bsgenergadetriseries.co.za and for those interested in participating in the kiddies series, visit www.juniorseries.co.za or contact Corn'e Grobler on 082 568 0301.
"As all the rules and information regarding the series is available when entering online, athletes will not only be correctly prepared for the event but also avoid the last minute rush and receive a discounted entry fee," adds Grobler. Entry forms, with rules, will also be available soon at all Caltex Starmart Stores.
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