Bako invited for SA Moto-X Nationals

Collin Matiza

Sports Editor

JUNIOR motocross star rider, Emmanuel Bako, will next week leave for South Africa to compete in the opening round of the 2021 South African National Championship series.

The 2021 South African National Championship will be held over seven rounds, stretching up to November.

The opening round of this tough series will be staged at Terra Topia, just outside Johannesburg, on February 20.

The South African Nationals attracts all the top junior and senior male and female dirt bike riders, from that country, Swaziland, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

And, Bako is among the hundreds of riders expected to throng Terra Topia track on February 20.

He is set to compete in the 85cc Class at this event.

Bako’s father and manager, Brighton, told The Herald yesterday his 14-year-old son will compete in this year’s South African National Championship series.

“Mr Scott Sakupwanya, the chief executive of Better Brands Jewellery, is happy that he will be sponsoring Emmanuel Bako for the 2021 South African Nationals,’’ Brighton told The Herald.

“Emmanuel will be leaving for South Africa, for the first national race next week, and Better Brands has sponsored him with a brand new KTM 85 2021 bike.

“The race is scheduled for February 20, at Terra Topia race track in Johannesburg, and Emmanuel is raring to go as he has been training hard for the past weeks, preparing for this event.

“We are quite sure he will do well and raise the country’s flag high.

“Remember, Emmanuel missed almost all the rounds of last year’s South African National Championship series, after most sporting events were put on hold due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

“He, however, managed to compete in the last two races of the series but that wasn’t good enough for him to claim the overall championship title.

“But, now that the authorities in South Africa have allowed most sporting events, including motor racing, to resume, we are happy Emmanuel will be able to travel and compete in the opening round of the South African Nationals next weekend.’’

Emmanuel is also expected to race in the second round of the South African Nationals on April 3 at the famous Rover track in Port Elizabeth.

This Championship is sanctioned by Motorsport South Africa in partnership with Cannabis Energy, TRP Distributors, Prepsol, Bridgestone, Thor, Gaerne, FMF, Pro Taper, 100%, Fly Racing, Ogio, Bandit Bike Graffix and the Race Shop.