Update

GEORGE NEWS - Following a prolonged silence on the future of the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge (OCC), the surprise announcement by the George Municipality that the popular event has been moved to May, leaves more questions than answers.

The event usually takes place in the second weekend of February, and the move is likely to upset the plans of many athletes who take part in the OCC every year. The municipality also announced that the event will, for the first time, be organised without the assistance of the Disabled Road Race Foundation (DRRF). The foundation has been involved with the event since its inception in 2002.

The late Esther Watson pioneered the OCC and took the event from humble beginnings to an internationally recognised race for disabled wheelchair sportsmen and women. In 2018 it took place for the 16th time and more than 1 000 athletes competed, including participants from abroad.

Last week the George Herald reported online that there have been many queries as to whether the OCC will go ahead in 2019. Concerns were raised that the necessary arrangements would not be in place by February.

In reply to George Herald's enquiries, the municipality released a statement on Wednesday, saying the 2019 OCC will take place on 5 or 12 May.

According to the statement, potential dates have been established following discussions with the international wheelchair athlete Ernst Van Dyk, who has taken part in the OCC since its launch. The event will be registered to ensure that the race retains its accreditation as a pre-qualifier for international races such as the Paralympics.

"George municipality and Acsa (Airports Company South Africa) George did not agree with the direction that the event was being taken in, as well as the allocation of sponsorship funding. The decision was made by the two main sponsors to continue with the planning and management of the event," read the statement.

The municipality did not embroider about the differences regarding "direction" and also did not provide reasons for the change of the event date.

Alewijn Dippenaar, chairperson of the DRRF, said he does not understand what the municipality means with "George municipality and Acsa George did not agree with the direction that the event was being taken in". He said the DRRF made proposals last year in June/July for organising the 2019 event. They heard nothing until November, when he was informed that the municipality has decided to take over the logistics.

Last year the DRRF proposed that there should be a bigger focus on the competitive aspect of the OCC. They also proposed that it should form part of a week-long event.

Ansie Swart, who was on the organising committee for a decade and held the position of organising director for five years, said the fact that the date has been moved could create problems. She is aware of athletes who have already made arrangements for their trip to George in February.

Last year the OCC attracted more than 1 000 participants.

She had numerous calls from athletes enquiring about the date of the event for 2019. Swart referred all enquiries to the George Municipality. "It feels as if the vision of the OCC has been lost," she said.

Earlier, chairperson of the George Business Chamber Dennis Farrel said it is important that the OCC should take place. "It is George's own Comrades. It has economic gains, but it is far more than that."

Brenda Vorster, manager of the George airport, which is part of Acsa, did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Van Dyk said a decision about the dates will be taken this week. He told George Herald he was asked by the organisers not to speak to the media.