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 Due to lack of sponsorship, Sports World have had to withdraw from organising the PE to EL Surfski Challenge. Michael Zoetmulder of Sport World sent out this email confirming the news:
"At the end of May 2006, Sports World reached an agreement with East Cape Lifesaving whereby it was appointed as the professional event organiser for the 2006 Surfski Challenge - PE2EL, which included being responsible for raising sponsorship. One of the conditions of this agreement was that if Sports World were unable to secure a sponsor by the end of September 2006, they would lose this appointment and the management of the race would revert back to East Cape Lifesaving.
In spite of the fact that all major sponsors usually finalise their budgets the year before, Sports World believed that the pedigree and heritage of the Surfski Challenge -"The longest and toughest surfski race in the world" - could influence potential sponsors to dig deeper and support the event. Over the last four months Sports World and their PR/Communications consultant have invested almost R30 000 in their attempts to secure a sponsor. This included a professionally written, designed and printed Sponsorship Guide and Sponsorship Packages (both converted to PDF format to be distributed electronically), world class website, contact and appointments with at least 90 potential local, national and international sponsors, as well as commitments from TV and the media at large to cover the event. The general response to the 2006 Surfski Challenge and its value to sponsors were very positive, but every potential Title Sponsor (without exception) had the same circumstances - nothing left in their budgets for 2006. As we have been unable to secure a Title Sponsor, as commissioned by East Cape Lifesaving, Sports World has had to retract its involvement in the proposed 2006 Surf Ski Challenge. This decision, however, does not detract from the fact that we believe that the Surfski Challenge is an event worthy of international status and recognition, but it's all about timing. East Cape Lifesaving are determined to see if they can source the necessary funds to hold the race and will make a final decision on the future of the 2006 Surf Ski Challenge by 7th November 2006. All online entries which have been received through Sports World, will be passed onto East Cape Lifesaving and Sports World will continue to run the Surf Ski Challenge web site on East Cape Lifesaving's behalf. Sports World regret having lost the awesome opportunity to resurrect the Surf Ski Challenge and ask that all further correspondence and enquiries regarding the Challenge be directed to Marcelle Thompson, East Cape Lifesaving Secretary, at
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or 041-585 5413." Whither PE2EL? Watch this space...
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