Botswana to host 2017 Motocross Championships
Kabelo Boranabi | Thursday March 24, 2016 12:26
Botswana Motor Sport (BMS) vice president (administration), David Mash said last year they had to pass on the tournament, which was eventually hosted by Zimbabwe. BMS failed to comply with a requirement that the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) should be notified 18 months before the tournament starts.
“It has been provisionally given to us by FIM. Last year we only notified the BNSC with less than 12 months before the tournament, so we forfeited the hosting rights.
We have tried before to host the tournament but this time around, we are in the right position,” said Mash further indicating that the event will increase the popularity of the sport in the country and will also boost the country’s economy through sports-tourism.
“As we all know, we only have one popular motor sport event, that is the Mmantshwabisi (desert race), so this event will help in increasing the popularity of the sport and in one way or the other it will bring a positive impact to the economy,” he said.
Gaborone Motor Club (GMC) president, Tunku Motsumi said as the club they have not been formally contacted about the bid.
“There has been talk about the event for a while. Let me confirm first. I will get back to you with all the facts,” he said.
Mash had told Mmegi Sport that the clubs have been notified. “The clubs know about the bid. These are the things that will be discussed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM),” he said.
He confirmed that BMS’ overdue AGM will be held in April on a date to be confirmed.
“When all the necessary requirements are followed the AGM will be held in April. We will confirm the date soon,” Mash said.
Last weekend, Lobelo Racing Club Francistown (LRCF) hosted the National Motocross Championships which was the first round of the qualifiers for the MxoAN at the Dumela Circuit. European-based Kevin Branch won the senior side with 75 points, while Anton Henriksen came second with 64 points.
The second round of the qualification will be hosted in Gaborone on April 16. The country will send top four riders to the tourney. The event will attract riders from Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa.