Neotel has confirmed that it will be withdrawing its cycling sponsorship of Team Neotel. This follows the recent announcement that Cycling South Africa (CSA) has suspended Nolan Hoffman after positive test samples were returned by the SA Institute of Drug Free Sport. Hoffman’s suspension is an interim measure pending the outcome of a hearing.
 
“We have always competed to win without losing sight of the need for transformation,” says Ajay Pandey, CEO and MD of Neotel. “We are proud of the results that have been achieved.” Neotel’s involvement in cycling started three years ago with the sponsorship of the team as well as the establishment of a cycling academy. “We have over 40 young people in the academy, ranging from under 10 to under 18, all from previously disadvantaged backgrounds,” says Pandey. “Not only are the young people taught the skills they require to participate in cycling, but life-skills as well.”

From inception Team Neotel has been at the forefront of bringing change to the face of the local cycling circuit. “The team has achieved what some said was impossible and have produced results that rival some of the country’s premier cycling teams,” says Pandey.

With transformation, excellence and development as its key principles, the Neotel team and academy have produced a number of successes over the past three years, including some South African champions. “The biggest success story, however, is that we competed successfully, without losing sight of the need for transformation and development,” he says. “These athletes were not only participating for the sake of participating, but can proudly say that they’re among the best.”

Hoffman tested positive on the 18th of October 2009 and was informed of the positive findings on the 22nd of December 2009. A hearing will be scheduled in the next couple of weeks.

Hoffman is one of the top sprinters in the country. He has been a part of the academy for the past 6 years and has attracted a large following.

A repentful and tearful Hoffman explained that he had been struggling with a knee injury and could not perform optimally. Pressure, he says, created by self expectation and from the community around him drove him to the decision.

In a letter addressed to the CSA Hoffman states he would have thought twice had he realised the damage his actions would cause. “I have disgraced the people and sponsors that supported me my whole career. I really hope this doesn’t cause any damage to them and the sport. I have disappointed everyone and I will face everything that is coming to me, I am truly sorry,” he writes.

Says Eugene Ruiters, team founder: “Although we empathise with his motivation, it is disappointing to have a role model such as himself resort to such action. Nolan has been the biggest success of our development plan. He has been in our system since 2004 and has developed into one of South Africa's top cyclists.” Ruiters adds that the team have always maintained a zero tolerance policy toward doping. “There are no excuses.”

“Because we have extremely high ethical standards as an organisation, which is evident in the way in which we deal with both internal and external stakeholder, we do not condone doping whatsoever,” says Pandey. “We have therefore assessed the risk and taken the decision to withdraw from the sport,” he concludes.