Selebi-Phikwe new home to Desert Race

Onalenna Kelebeile | Thursday December 13, 2018 10:02

Desert Race PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Key stakeholders, including the Selebi-Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU) and the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) signed a Memorandum of Agreement today, a move, which will see the race held in the northeastern town for the first time in history. Jwaneng hosted the last five editions.

SPEDU chief executive officer, Dr Mokubung Mokubung said they are determined not to fail thousands of people who call the SPEDU region, their home.

“We are happy that our efforts did not go to waste and today we have put a smile on the faces of people who live in the region much larger in geographical size than some countries. We are happy that we won the bid against highly credible competitors,” he said.

He expressed happiness that Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO) ran a fair and rigorous competitive process to select the winner.

“I thank BTO for its vote of confidence in the SPEDU region and we assure that we will prove over the next five years that such confidence has not been misplaced,” he added. He said though the race occurs in one part of the country it remains a national project whose benefits are enjoyed by people in faraway places and said those who will be coming to Selebi-Phikwe for the event would patronise various businesses located along the way.

South Africa Cross Country Series director, Gregg Higgins said they are very excited with the relocation of the race from Jwaneng to Selebi-Phikwe. He said the new terrain promises to provide a stern test for the teams which is a key characteristic of the Desert Race. “Toyota 1000 Desert Race provides a major financial injection to areas in which the event is held and the move creates the opportunity for communities to benefit from the race,” he said.

He stressed that the safety and environmental aspect would be considered and that every effort would be made to make sure that the route is safe and environmentally friendly. He noted that the huge interest that the Toyota 1000 Dessert Race generates is indicative of the popularity of motor racing in Botswana.

“The event will also include a round of the Botswana Motor Sport Championship. We are looking forward to working with Selebi-Phikwe Town Council and SPEDU. We are confident that the event will go from strength to strength,” he added. Botswana Motor Sport representative said they are happy that they will be co-hosting the event. She noted that the race of this magnitude brings exposure to sport in Botswana, which has had a great impact in the growth and development of motorsport in the country. “We have seen a number of riders and drivers in the country grow over the years,” she said, adding that they intend to engage all stakeholders within the country to bring awareness about spectator and competitor safety, to ensure low incidents rate. She added that the biggest challenge they are always faced with during the race is the unsafe conduct of spectators. “I therefore plead that people take extra caution r at any off road event especially the Desert Race. They should stay away from the race route, or stop taking pictures of competitors while standing on the route. It is dangerous,” she said.

The race is expected to cover villages such as Sefophe, part of the A1 high way, Serule, Topisi, Mogapi, Mogapinyana and Tuli Block.

Jwaneng hosted the last five editions. SPEDU chief executive officer, Dr Mokubung Mokubung said they are determined not to fail thousands of people who call the SPEDU region, their home. “We are happy that our efforts did not go to waste and today we have put a smile on the faces of people who live in the region much larger in geographical size than some countries. We are happy that we won the bid against highly credible competitors,” he said.

He expressed happiness that Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO) ran a fair and rigorous competitive process to select the winner. “I thank BTO for its vote of confidence in the SPEDU region and we assure that we will prove over the next five years that such confidence has not been misplaced,” he added.

He said though the race occurs in one part of the country it remains a national project whose benefits are enjoyed by people in faraway places and said those who will be coming to Selebi-Phikwe for the event would patronise various businesses located along the way.South Africa Cross Country Series director, Gregg Higgins said they are very excited with the relocation of the race from Jwaneng to Selebi-Phikwe. He said the new terrain promises to provide a stern test for the teams which is a key characteristic of the Desert Race.

“Toyota 1000 Desert Race provides a major financial injection to areas in which the event is held and the move creates the opportunity for communities to benefit from the race,” he said.He stressed that the safety and environmental aspect would be considered and that every effort would be made to make sure that the route is safe and environmentally friendly. He noted that the huge interest that the Toyota 1000 Dessert Race generates is indicative of the popularity of motor racing in Botswana. “The event will also include a round of the Botswana Motor Sport Championship.

We are looking forward to working with Selebi-Phikwe Town Council and SPEDU. We are confident that the event will go from strength to strength,” he added. Botswana Motor Sport representative said they are happy that they will be co-hosting the event. She noted that the race of this magnitude brings exposure to sport in Botswana, which has had a great impact in the growth and development of motorsport in the country.

“We have seen a number of riders and drivers in the country grow over the years,” she said, adding that they intend to engage all stakeholders within the country to bring awareness about spectator and competitor safety, to ensure low incidents rate. She added that the biggest challenge they are always faced with during the race is the unsafe conduct of spectators. “I therefore plead that people take extra caution r at any off road event especially the Desert Race. They should stay away from the race route, or stop taking pictures of competitors while standing on the route. It is dangerous,” she said.The race is expected to cover villages such as Sefophe, part of the A1 high way, Serule, Topisi, Mogapi, Mogapinyana and Tuli Block.