Hope still alive for 2019 OCC
All hope is not lost for presenting the 2019 Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge (OCC) in George. After last week's shock announcement by George Municipality that the OCC was cancelled, business and community leaders have taken hands to see if it could possibly still take place later this year.
Dr Dennis Farrel, chairperson of George Business Chamber, confirmed that international wheelchair athlete Ernst van Dyk, who has taken part in the OCC since its inception, was in George last Friday to meet with him and Mike Barkley, the chamber's business person of 2018, to discuss the possibility of the continuation of the event. According to Farrell, Van Dyk and Barkley indicated that the OCC is the only event in South Africa that provides athletes with the opportunity to qualify for the marathon event in the World Championship and the Paralympics.
The late Esther Watson pioneered the OCC and in 2018 it took place for the 16th time. More than 1 000 athletes competed, including participants from abroad. The event for 2019 was cancelled after the main sponsor, Acsa, withdrew.
Farrell told the George Herald this week that since the news became known, the business chamber has received numerous calls. He emphasised that athletes should not be penalised for the late withdrawal of the sponsor, or for any allegation regarding the organisation of the previous event.
Farrel plans to meet with the George Municipality to find a way to ensure that the OCC is still hosted in George during 2019. He will meet Ansie Swart, a previous organising director, today (Thursday) to discuss how the continuation of the OCC can be "resurrected". He is also planning a meeting with Alewijn Dippenaar, the previous event coordinator, to ensure all parties work together to make the event possible. The chamber has initiated contact with Acsa and other potential corporate sponsors who could be interested in supporting the OCC. If all goes well, the event could take place in the second part of the year. "There is still hope."
He said the economic loss is not the only important factor. The OCC is a community event that brings together all the communities.
"It will be very bad for George if we lose the event. We would like to have clarity before the end of April."
Dr Willie Cilliers, chairperson of the AHi Western Cape, said everything possible should be done to keep the event in George. "The OCC has become synonymous with George."