BMS seeks funds for Dakar-bound Crosbie
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday July 8, 2016 14:36
Crosbie gained access to one of the world’s biggest motorsport events, but faces a mammoth task to raise over P150,000 for entry fee.
“Vincent approached us about his intentions to go to Dakar.
He is an ambitious rider and we support his decision because he would not be representing himself but the nation at large.
Due to our financial situation, we cannot offer him any monetary support,” BMS president, Simon Modisaeman told Mmegi Sport yesterday.
Modisaeman further said the association has since written to the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) alerting them about the situation and are waiting for response. He is optimistic they will get sponsorship for the rider.
“There is a procedure whenever we have a rider going outside the country, the association approaches commercial entities on behalf of the rider in search for sponsorship,” he said.
Crosbie has since launched an online campaign called ‘Go Fund Me’, which has a running website. The entry fee for the competition is €14,800 (approximately P150,000).
“The costs are very high, but Crosbie is very determined.
He will be using money from his pocket and we are willing to meet him half way,” Modisaeman said.
But Crosbie is determined to fulfill his Dakar dream.
“I have been riding in the bush and sand since the age of three.
My biggest influence in my riding career has been my father, Noel. Sadly my father passed away when I was young and now I have taken it upon myself to fulfill our dream of us going to the Dakar Rally,” Crosbie is quoted in his website.
The 26-year-old returned from competing in the Merzouga Rally in Morocco before obtaining a podium position at the Toyota 1000 Desert Race a fortnight ago.
The two-wheeler biker has been in intensive training in South Africa. He was part of the local riders team that competed in the South African Championships held in Vryburg in April where he produced a stirring performance.
This year BMS failed to send a team to the Motocross Championships held in Kenya due to lack of funds. “Due to lack of resources we could not send a team to Kenya. We also could not assemble a national team because most of our riders are not citizens, but resident expatriates and the BNSC could not help us,” Modisaeman explained.