Motswana rider�s licence cancelled before Desert race
Spira Tlhankane | Tuesday June 30, 2015 14:21
He received the bad news from the President of Botswana Motor Sport Association, Simon Modisaeman who informed him that the Federation of International Motorcycling (FIM) had cancelled his South African licence.
Motsumi said he was shocked to hear that FIM had revoked his SA licence. He said what shocked him the most is that FIM contacted BMS instead of Motor Sport South Africa (MSA).
He said he took the case to the clerk of courts who then decided to try and issue him a one-day licence.
“They took me from pillar to post. They said print this, do this and it was something that was very painful looking at the fact that I am a Motswana,” he said.
He said he felt disappointed not being able to race after spending a lot of money to prepare for the big race. Motsumi said the issue had impacted badly on him because his sponsors did not get mileage. The Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture and BotswanaPost sponsored Motsumi’s bike. He blatantly told Mmegi Sport that the committee had disappointed and sabotaged him. However, Modisaeman denied accusations of sabotage. “We are governed by the protocol of the FIM. I clearly informed Motsumi about the confirmation email from FIM stating that his licence had been cancelled due to non-procedural protocol,” he explained.
Modisaeman said if a person wants to get a licence from a different federation, they should get a release letter. “Motsumi went to South Africa to get a licence without a release letter from Botswana. FIM was informed about the issue. They investigated the matter and his South African licence was cancelled,” he said.
However, Modisaeman indicated that they tried to do their best to assist the individual to participate in the desert race. He said the federation could have helped by issuing out a one-day licence.
“For us to issue a one-day licence, one has to comply with the requirements of getting an insurance.
“In the case of Motsumi, after his licence was cancelled, he had no insurance and as such he could not be allowed to ride in the competition,” he said. Modisaeman said he was informed directly by email, and immediately informed Motsumi.
“Motorsport is a high-risk sport code. So under the FIM, a rider must have insurance and the federation must also take a public liability insurance,” he explained.