Fundasaun Hari'i Au Metan sponsors East Timorese bicyclist Jacinto da Costa. Jacinto, considered one of the top cyclists in the country represented Timor-Leste earlier this year at the Arafura Games, a large regional sporting event, in Darwin, Australia. Even though this was his first experience traveling abroad and competing against international competitors Jacinto placed 4th in the race!


More recently Jacinto competed in the Maubisse to Dili Ride For Peace on December 1st where he placed 1st in the individual section. Then, just last weekend on December 8th, Jacinto once again placed 1st in his division in the Liquica to Dili Race organized by the Timor Cycle Federation. It was an exciting finish to witness and many of Jacinto's family, friends, neighbors, and members of Fundasaun Hari'i Au Metan proudly came to support him.

Jacinto hopes to travel and compete in races in Europe in 2008.

I personally hope that one day soon Jacinto will be able to travel to Madison, WI to be a part of, as well as help raise money and awareness about Timor-Leste, for the Madison Ainaro Sister City Alliance's 'Tour de Timor' bike ride. Maybe we at Just Coffee could also get some extra help with bike deliveries while he's in town. Just kidding...kind-of.

If there happen to be any major bike enthusiasts with money to share out there, you may consider sponsoring Jacinto to further his dream and to continue representing Timor-Leste, the world's newest nation, in future international bike races.