23 Aug 2018

This year’s Mmabesi 200 National Off-Road challenge billed for September 1 has relocated from Serowe to Fankie Kokoro’s Feedlot, 2km from Paje.

The annual motorsport event, in its third year running is a partnership between Serowe Extreme Bikers Club and Botswana Motor Sport (BMS), while Kokoro’s feedlot will be the challenge’s starting and finish point.

The event’s marketing officer, Tshegofatso Sentsho told BOPA that this year’s challenge would be bigger and better since it roped in riders across the country and South Africa.

He said preparations were at an advanced stage while entries for participation closed August 31.

Sentsho said registration was open to BMS member clubs and riders from countries would be allowed to register provided they have clearance letters from their associations.

He said they were expecting about 50 riders including national team riders who just returned from Motor Cross of All Nations that was held in Zambia.

Sentsho said hosting Mmabesi 200 was taxing hence the decision to use registration proceeds to minimise costs given the absence of corporate sponsors adding that they also needed money for marshals for the two days.

Sentsho said this year’s marshals would be out of school youth they reached out to through the help of the Sport Volunteers Movement.

That, he said was their effort to respond to the community social responsibility call noting that they needed about 50 marshals for the event.

“Local fuel stations, accommodation facilities, food vendors among others stand to benefit from this event. The Mmabesi challenge is the first of its kind in Central district purposely to bring riders in the region together and also afford the youth an alternative form of entertainment instead of engaging in social ills to while away time.”

The marketing officer said the event was a platform for both local and foreign riders, yet an economy stimulator. He said their desire was to inspire and witness more youngsters taking part in motorsport.

Sentsho said they wished to have young people and women participating in motor sport. Serowe Extreme Bikers he said prided itself with one female rider though she was not ready to compete, adding that some clubs had professional female riders.

Concerning the fact that motorsport is expensive, the event’s other marketing officer, Samuel Tlhaodi said it was time riders forged relations with other riders and also mobilise sponsors to own even a second hand bike.

Tlhaodi said riders should look for sponsors outside their areas to enable them realise their dream.

He said there were entities keen on gaining mileage from such partnerships. Sentsho concurred and said as riders they were always willing to help those with the drive to break into the sport, by helping them with the technicalities of riding and resources.

He said most of the professionals took the initiative to start on their own but after witnessing their zeal, sponsors forged deals with them. Sentsho said their desire was to have a principal sponsorship from the region. ENDS