ZIMBABWE’S leading cross country mountain biker Stacey Hyslop has opened the door to corporate Zimbabwe, launching a sponsorship campaign worth R530,000 (about US$32,000) to finance her bid for qualification to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The African XCO champion is seeking strategic partners to support a two year international racing programme centred on Europe, where she aims to collect crucial UCI ranking points against the world’s best riders.
Having featured in the qualification pathway for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Hyslop is determined to return stronger as she targets Zimbabwe’s place at LA2028.
“My goal is to represent Zimbabwe at the highest level and inspire the next generation,” Hyslop said.
“I am looking for sponsorship partners who can help me reach my goal of competing at the LA2028 Olympic Games while promoting their brands globally over the next two years.”
According to the proposal, more than half of the budget will fund a European campaign featuring UCI World Cups and the UCI World Championships, competitions regarded as critical for Olympic qualification.
“Competing in Europe is essential to gain UCI points and experience against the best in the world. The goal is to race World Cups and the World Championships to put Zimbabwe on the map,” she said.
The campaign also includes participation in the African Continental Championships, South African Cup Series, Namibia Cup races and the Zimbabwe National Championships, alongside investment in equipment upgrades, sports science, coaching and medical support.
A biokineticist and endurance performance specialist, Hyslop has enjoyed another impressive season, winning both the Elite Women’s XCO and XCC titles at the African Continental Championships while recording podium finishes in South Africa.
To attract sponsors, Hyslop has unveiled three partnership packages ranging from US$1,500 to US$6,500, offering branding rights, promotional opportunities, corporate appearances and digital marketing exposure.
She said the initiative goes beyond elite sport.
“I wear many hats beyond being an athlete. I am a coach, a mentor, a biokineticist and a community advocate,” Hyslop said.
“I want to give back through youth cycling clinics in Zimbabwe in October.”
The campaign will run in two phases, with international competition taking priority before shifting focus to local races and grassroots development programmes later in the year.
