UGANDA has for the first time ever sent a team of three riders to the World Junior Motocross championships set to be held in Bucharest, Romania. 

The world championships are slated for this weekend 7th-9th July,2023.

While seeing off the team at Entebbe International Airport, Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda deputy vice president of Motorcycling, Kisitu Mayanja applauded parents for all sacrifices they give in to have their kids race.

” We glad to have a team to the world motocross championships for the first time ever,” said a beaming Mayanja.

Mayanja added; “It’s unfortunate, we missed out on the services Larry Ssekamwa on team due to Visa challenges, but am confident the team going will raise our flag high.”

Considering the criterion of best lap speed times, and rider CV , Uganda also misses out on the services of Waleed Omar and Aron Orland in the 125CC, who missed on the travel team to Romania due to logistics and Nationality issues respectively.

“Am grateful the Federation managed to facilitate the team with FIM licences payment, bike hiring, air tickets, team jerseys plus accommodation, and hiring an event mechanic,” explained Mayanja. 

Chief de mission, George Ssemakula, explained that the trio will first be tested in qualifying rounds, with only 40 riders to qualify in 65 CC category out of over 65 riders.

Ssemakula added that the qualifiers for 85 and 125 CC classes just as for 65 will be on Friday and Saturday, final race on Sunday.

Meanwhile, all Ugandan riders have retained their local race numbers plates a significant recognition for their abilities by the world body,FIM( Federation International Motocyclisme).

Jonathan will ride on bike number 19, Miguel will be on 199, and Ssebuguzi will ride on bike 16.

Riders vow:

Jonathan Katende Ssemakula, Uganda’s number two in the 65 CC category says; their main target is first to qualify, then see how they feature the main race.

Miguel Katende, Africa’s number two in the 65 class, prayed they traveled safely to Romania, qualify, and will settle their scores at the battle line.

Gift Tabula Ssebuguzi, Africa’s number one 85CC, says; He is privileged to be part of the Ugandan team for world championships and hopes to raise the country flag high in Romania.

The team is expected back in the country on 11th July, 2023.

Published by: Frank Kaheesi FMU Media

Picture Caption:  Fmu Dvp Motocycling, Kisitu Mayanja(L) see off team at Entebbe Airport

Photography by: Innocent Mutaawe

The African Motocross championships were a marvel; according to host country federation head Dipu Ruparelia.

Uganda played host to the FIM Africa Motocross of Africa Nations Championships at the Victoria Race Track in Garuga.

The continental championship was returning after two years of disruption from the Covid pandemic.

Riders from South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe joined hosts Uganda to put up exciting category races in the two days.

However, South Africa came top with the overall victory as well as individual titles in the respective classes.

South Africa registered victories in four of the seven categories.

Jayden Proctor (MX1), Callan Broskie (MX2), Breece Romans (MX125), and Aiden Retief (MX65) were all sublime as they asserted themselves throughout; sweeping their respective categories to claim African MX titles.

South Africa collected 654 points but it is the victory that could easily have been snatched by Zambia.

Zambia finished second just one point behind South Africa.  

Two victories; in the veteran category by Dale Holiday as well as the ladies class by Leah Heygate helped Zambia to a successful outing.

Hosts Uganda settled for third position overall. 

Uganda’s finish was spiced up by Malcom Gift Sebuguzi’s victory in the MX lite class. 

Sebuguzi topped two heats and came second in one. It was however a hotly contested class with South Africa’s Ronald Graven pushing the Ugandan to the limits.

Team captain Alestair Blick finished third in MX1, Miguel Katende came second with a heat win in MX65, Fatuh Kiggundu settled for second in MX2, and James Akena second in veteran class.

“Our expectations were to come in top three. There was a battle between South Africa and Zambia but at least we managed the top three.

“South Africa had all their top riders and we tried to battle with them for the points,” said Alestair Blick.

Kenya finished fourth followed by Botswana and Zimbabwe respectively. 

Next year’s round of FIM Africa will be hosted in South Africa.

Published by: Sharifah Namagoba Ramah – https://kawowo.com