22-year-old Leon Saldido Nzaro is the Tujiamini Gold Winner.
The cyclist from Mariakani in Kilifi County was awarded sh.500,000 on Friday after emerging as the Gold winner in the SportPesa Tujiamini initiative.
Speaking at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa while receiving the half a million shillings cheque from SportPesa and DBA Africa, Nzaro said the prize money will be used for vital resources that will go a long way in advancing his budding cycling career.
He intends to acquire a new high-performance bike among other hi-tech equipment critical in elevating his performance at a more competitive level.
“Winning the Tujiamini Gold Award is the best feeling ever and a game-changer for me. I’ve been dedicated to cycling for years, despite the challenges of limited access to proper equipment and training. This award will ultimately enable me to position myself for even greater success. I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited at what lies ahead,” said Nzaro.
According to Nzaro’s Coach, Abdulaziz Mubarak, the professional cycling scene is highly competitive and demands a training regime to match thus the availability of adequate equipment is the ultimate game changer.
“This award by Tujiamini will enable Nzaro to invest in better and more reliable equipment especially given that competitive cycling is becoming more scientific by the day. These tools are therefore very necessary to allow for precise self-assessment based on international performance metrics,” noted Abdulaziz.
SportPesa Partnerships Manager, Willis Ojwang’, expressed delight at Nzaro’s victory even as he highlighted the need for more support towards nurturing talent in the country.
“It is truly encouraging to see the positive impact of the Tujiamini initiative, as demonstrated by Nzaro’s victory, resonating not only with him but also with the broader community. The potential for even greater impact exists if other stakeholders in the sports and talent ecosystem can collaborate to support as many young athletes as possible,” said Ojwang.
The Tujiamini Gold Award is designed to reward and support up-and-coming athletes in the grassroots to pursue their talents to the highest level possible.
Nzaro who has demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment in local races is currently preparing for the 15th edition of the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge set for February next year.
“I have been cycling since I was a child but I had no interest in competitive cycling. However, things changed after COVID when upon getting a bicycle, I realized that it provided an ideal avenue for me to network and ultimately, get involved in opportunities,” said the 22-year-old.
