26 Mar 2019

Preparations for the 2019 Toyota 1000 Kilometre Desert Race are on schedule.

Responding to a question from Selebi-Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Tshekedi Khama said Botswana Motorsport had already assembled a Local Organising Committee on technical matters, ‘and Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) is giving all the support in this event as before’.

Yesterday the organisers, who are BTO, Motorsport and the South African Cross Country Series (SACCS) were in Selebi-Phikwe to engage on the route preparations for the event.
“SPEDU, BTO and Botswana Motorsport will also engage regarding the financing required for the event. The Sam Sono Stadium has been identified as the designated service point,” he added.

The date for the 2019 edition of the Toyota 1000 Kilometre Desert Race, the minister said, is from June 21 to 23 in Selebi-Phikwe, adding that the full series of events was yet to be finalised.

Additionally, he said the routes were yet to be confirmed.

Further, Mr Khama noted that the role of Selebi-Phikwe Town Council would be to; host the event in its locality ‘and shall commit and avail facilities, namely, its Golf Course, Sam Sono Stadium, Makhubu Area 2, show ground and any other facility that shall be agreed upon as necessary for the successful execution of the event by the parties.

He said the council would also avail its plant equipment, machinery and personnel for the purposes that would be determined and agreed upon by the parties as necessary for the successful execution of the event.

It would also prepare and clear all areas identified by the parties as needing preparation and clearance for the event and allow the necessary changes to be effected to the golf course for the event.

“The changes shall include, but are not limited to; the construction of a circuit route to allow trucks into the designated service point area,” said Mr Khama.

Additionally, the minister said the council’s role would be to invite vendors and issue necessary licenses to the business community, commission and decommission all temporary structures put up for the event.

During the event, in collaboration with SPEDU, he said the town council would also provide fencing, water, electricity, lighting, security, ablution facilities at the designated service point,  contribute towards funding for the implementation of the approved and agreed upon communication and public relations plan for the event and engage the necessary service providers to provide needed services at the designated service point as shall be agreed between the parties.Subject to consultation and approval from the steering committee, Mr Khama said the council would also ‘rent out the stadium, show srounds and any other facility to interested parties  undertaking activities necessary for the success of the event.

Regarding the role of SPEDU, the minister said it would provide the requisite funding for conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and environmental monitoring initiatives.

Mr Keorapetse had asked Mr Khama to update Parliament on preparations for the 2019 Toyota 1000 Kilometre Desert Race, particularly the stage of preparations, dates, times and place(s) where it would be held and to explain in detail the series of events such as the starting and finishing points a as well as the routes.

In addition, Selebi-Phikwe West MP also wanted the Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development minister to state the specific role of Selebi Phikwe Town Council, how the extravaganza would benefit the town and its residents and if an EIA had been conducted, fast tracked or had been waived. Ends