Helen Zille caught riding it with Fikile Mbalula

Premier of Western Cape Helen Zille and the Minister of Sports and Recreation Fikile Mbalula, participated in the institute for a Drug-free sport’s (PlayFair) team cycling in the 2012 Cape Argus Pick n Pay cycle tour in March.

The SAY NO! To Doping campaign emphasises the key sporting message of courage, respect, effort and to accept challenges and is designed so international and national sport organisation can unite behind it in support of clean sport. “The support of high ranking public officials and celebrities to our ‘I Play Flair’ campaign allows us to communicate with a more diverse audience who may not be very well acquainted with real dangers of drugs in sports,” said the CEO of South African institute for drug-free sport, Khalid Galant.

“My commitment to a drug-free sport and ethics in sport is consistent not only with fair play on the field, but also with the clean and ethical administration of our sports governing bodies, said the Minister of Sports, Fikile Mbalula. While the Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille said they have huge societal issues with drug use in the Western Cape and in our schools. As premier of the province, I hope to help raise awareness of alternative to drug use by promoting clean sport, especially among our young people as we know lectures on the dangers and perils of drug use are not enough.

I personally think that this was a great initiative by the South African institute for drug-free sport as it has been a dominant problem within the sportsmen and women, and that it would bring about change into thinking, acting and playing ethical and fair. It also helped with raising awareness against drug use and also to promote healthier living through exercising.

 The institute is encouraging all South African sportsmen and women, couches and fans to take a ‘I Play Flair’- SAY NO! To Doping pledge by visiting www.drugfreesport.org.za the mobilesite: m.drugfreesport.org.za on the facebook page (iplayfairZA) or via twitter (@iplayfairZA, #saynotodoping #cycletour).