Official press release dated 6th of May
For Immediate Release
José Ramos-Horta announced the first of four key partnerships that will provide fundraising platforms for riders, volunteers and other supporters of Timor-leste to give back to the community. Through its philosophy and engagement with local communities throughout Timor-Leste, Asia’s most notorious MTB (Mountain bike) race further demonstrates the power that the Tour de Timor has in bringing people from all over the world together around peace and creating new relationships.
As a key note speaker at the Emerge Foundation’s Gala event held in Sydney the former President and Nobel Laureate was introduced by the founder and chair of the foundation, Mr. Ian MacRitchie; who had this to say in his opening remarks:”The Emerge Foundation is committed to improving the education, healthcare and sporting opportunities for young Timorese. The Foundation has been responsible for 326 scholarships for young Timorese to acquire a Bachelor degree in teaching. The Foundation has helped fund 293 nurses to receive training in general and midwifery nursing through ACU.”.
Mr. MacRitchie went onto explain “In the area of sport we have partnered with the ACU sport and exercise faculty for the development of soccer in 32 schools with over 2000 kids participating. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far, in the coming years we will also initiate programs around netball for girls and basketball, both sports have been specifically requested by the communities we work with. It is with great pleasure that this year the Emerge Foundation will begin a new pathway of engagement with Noble Timor and I thank José Ramos Horta for his enduring vision to improve the livelihoods of all Timorese and his dream to transform the nation of Timor-Leste into an oasis of peace, stability and democracy.”.
Thanking the chair and the foundation, Mr. Ramos-Horta acknowledged the longstanding relationship shared between the Foundation and Timor-Leste: “Over many years Emerge Foundation has supported projects in the areas of education, health and sports. It gives me real pleasure in announcing tonight that the Foundation will be one of four key partners with the 2017 Tour de Timor. I hope that this partnership will be much more than simply words – we will have hundreds of Australians coming to participate in the race later this year in September – as riders, volunteers, doctors. I appeal to you to fund these individuals and support their fund raising efforts so that together we can demonstrate the power that we all have to make a difference in the lives of others who are less fortunate.”.
The 2017 Tour de Timor will be held over 5 days between the 19th and the 23rd of September. The course will feature over 500 kms and 11,000 meters cumulative vertical climbing making it one of the most challenging MTB races in the world.
For details check the official web portal at www.tourdetimor.com or on Facebook.
For information about the eMerge Foundation go to their website at: www.emergefoundation.org.au
For more information email us at: info@tourdetimor.com
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