21 Jan 2021

Motor sport has shown significance growth through the performance of Ross Branch during the just ended Dakar Rally 2021.

James Alexander is another Motswana who participated in the Dakar Rally with Branch. 

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday in Gaborone, Botswana Motor Sports head of federation of international motor mobile sport, Jones Chibana said local riders had done the best in the just ended Dakar Rally, noting that from the 2019 Dakar Rally and 2021 rally it showed tremendous growth in motorsport in Botswana.

Chibani challenged young Batswana to join motorsport and take it as a career in order to improve their lives and Botswana’s international status in motorsport.

He said there was talent in the country and urged government to support the youth and motorsport. He added that sport could not only be for leisure like it had been, but should be taken rather as business to improve lives.

 He said Branch had done well in the competition from stage one until eight when his engine ceased resulting in him quitting the race.

Chibani said the association blamed Yamaha for Branch’s engine default, which he said were compliance issues.

He said Branch had to go up to stage 12 despite ending the race at stage eight, adding that they expected a better performance in the coming Dakar Rally 2022 season.

“Brady Armstrong is expected to join Branch on Dakar Rally 2022,” he said

He noted that Armstrong was affiliated with Botswana Motorsport Association while Branch was affiliated with South African Motor Sport.

Chibani said the association was faced with lack of funds and that they had engaged government through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development to offer financial help and sponsorship.

He said motorsport was new in the country and that they needed to engage different sectors for sponsorship and financial aid.

Chibani said they were losing a lot of riders to South Africa, saying Branch’s performance was an eye opener that motorsport could sell Botswana tourism.

He said they wanted to build a strong motorsport foundation with riders and drivers who could compete internationally.

Chibani said it was important to rebuild the association and to start on a clean slate.

For his part, Branch said he did not get his classification because he did not finish all the stages of the rally.

He stated that he had the best experience despite bike defaults, adding that he performed well against the world best riders from stage one to eight. He noted that he was ranked 11^th overall for stage eight.

Branch said he would be part of the World Championship competition set for Portugal in March 2021 where he would revive his provisional overall classification.

He encouraged young Batswana to join motorsport and make a future in the sport, saying there were good riders in Botswana who could do well in international stages.

Branch said he had met young Batswana who had interest in motorsport.

He applauded Batswana for their online support.

Branch, together with other riders, arrived in Botswana from Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Ends