Motorsport awaits approval to host 2017 Africa championships
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday August 26, 2016 14:38
Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday, Botswana Motorsport (BMS) administrator, David Mashonja said the association has since written to the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) to request to host the championship and are awaiting approval. “We were unofficially announced as next year’s host at the tournament.
We have met FIM Africa to discuss amongst other issues, the hosting rights,” he said.
Mashonja however said they would have to meet some requirements before they could be formally handed the hosting rights.
“Following the approval, we would build a racing track that would be of international standard.
The track should be at least 20 kilometres away from a hospital; we are considering places such as Mmopane, Gaborone or Mogoditshane.
This would cost us around P150 000, hence why we need the BNSC’s input because we are struggling with finances.
Mind you this would not be BMS’ tournament but for the whole country,” Mashonja said.
He further said despite facing uncertainties before the just ended championships in Kenya due to financial constraints, the team brought home three medals.
The team was trimmed from 14 riders to only five due to financial constraints.
They only travelled after the intervention of the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) after requests for finances from the BNSC and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC) were turned down.
They won gold in the MXI, silver in the MX2 and bronze in the MX lite. They finished fourth out of seven countries in the overall standings.
“I believe the performance was very impressive looking at monetary issues we had before the trip. It was a difficult trip because we left our bikes after we were told that they could not be transported in an airplane. However, we managed to secure bikes from the Kenyan federation. We also sent a small team.
The reason we finished in the fourth position was that we did not participate in some of the categories. The guys put up a brave fight and we are very much impressed,” he said.
Kevin Branch and Vincent Crosbie represented the country in the MX1, Douglas Morris and Mark Carr-Hartly in the MX2 and 13-year-old Kosmas Mamaloukos in the MX lite category.
Mashonja further said they are impressed with growth of motorsport in the country as they are looking to take the sport to the people in order to secure sponsorship for future tournaments.
“I believe we have done a very good job in the off road and Mantshwabisi (1000 Toyota Desert race) is a good example. We have also done well in the spin and speed but we have lacked behind in the motocross,” he said.
After a year failing to hold the association’s annual general meeting, Mashonja said the meeting is scheduled for September 17.
Amongst issues to be discussed are standards of competitions and review of the constitution, while elections are also on the cards as the current committee’s term has ended.