PROMINENT local pigeon racing champion, Niezaam Jappie, holds the Port Elizabeth Pigeon Federation and Eastern Province Pigeon Union championship trophy, for the sixth time in eight years.
Ryan Andrews, publicity officer for the Eastern Province Pigeon Union, said that Jappie’s immense love for the sport has had him wanting to plough back into the sport, by mentoring fellow fanciers.
These fanciers, Arends Broers and Craig Jacobs, have done well in reaching the top 10 overall in both the Port Elizabeth Pigeon Federation and East Province Pigeon Union of the Year in 2022 and 2023.
They have also joined André Pandy, who is a fancier formerly from Gqeberha, now residing in the Western Cape.
Jappie is also a representative of ZAEP Elite Pigeons in the Eastern Cape.
ZAEP was started by Pandy and they have imported pigeons from the Netherlands, in association with Dr Henk De Weerd, to uplift fanciers in the sport.
At the EPPU prizegiving, held in December 2023, three young racing pigeons were donated to the top three junior EPPU fanciers by Jappie. He also donated a pigeon, hand selected from De Weerd, to Ryan Andrews.
Jappie recently completed an interview with Pigeon Duiwe News TV channel on YouTube that focuses on the sport of racing pigeons, and interviews top-performing fanciers around South Africa. This interview will be aired via YouTube on Friday, April 26 at 17:00.
