03 Oct 2018

Motorbike sensation, Ross Branch’s pathway to the Dakar Rally seems to be going smoothly, thanks to the Okavango Motor Club who hosted the national off-road race in Chanoga over the Independence holidays.

The spectacular event was meant to raise funds for Branch, who would represent Botswana at Dakar next year January.

Branch, who looked confident, focused and energetic, was crowned the overall winner under the motorbike category followed by Robert Pollock and Ryan Mayer. The competition attracted riders from Gaborone, Orapa, Francistown, Maun and South Africa.

From the onset, Branch set the pace and made his intentions clear, and that indeed he would make Batswana proud at the Dakar Rally. The rider, who has been winning National Cross Country Championships over the years, said he was ready for Dakar.In the quad bike category, Zayd Noble was the overall winner while Ahmed Noble and Kaswika Mannathoko got positions two and three respectively.

Branch thanked Okavango Motor Club for demonstrating love and support towards preparations and assured his fans that he would represent the country well. He said the race went well and was competitive, adding that it was not an easy one and appreciated other riders for showing commitment.

“This is not a one man show but my trip to Dakar is teamwork and I really appreciate your immense support,” he added.In an interview, the vice president of Okavango Motor Club, Harish Muduvall, said this year they took the event to Chanoga since they wanted the rural community to have a live experience of motor racing. He noted that in rural areas, it was rare to host such an event and this time “we wanted to hold it outside Maun so that the community can have fun and enjoy the race”. In addition, he said the event also gave local riders an opportunity to accumulate points and improve their ratings nationally with the Botswana Motor Sports.Speaking during the prize giving ceremony and a fund raising dinner held at Tandurei restaurant in Maun, Muduvall thanked all the sponsors for their support, which led to the success of the event. He said the riders treated the Ngamiland community to an excellent, quality, competitive and breathtaking racing, starting from the juniors to seniors.

Atlantis company, which also sponsored the event, handed P12 000 to Branch .

Kgosi Oateng Setlhodi of Chanoga hailed the organisers for bringing the event to his village, noting that it contributed meaningfully to the community since it promoted interaction and  boosted the village’s economy.

He wished Branch well and believed that he would indeed hoist Botswana Flag high at Dakar.

Assistant district commissioner, Ramogaupi Gaborekwe, also thanked the organisers for hosting the event, noting that their efforts were in line with government policy of Public, Private Partnership.

Like Kgosi, he said the event brought a lot of indirect economic benefits to the Chanoga community and the district in general. ENDS