admin
Collin Matiza Sports Editor
IT’S all set for another dose of grit and gusto when Zimbabwe’s top junior motocross rider, Emmanuel Bako, at this year’s WOMZA North vs South Inter-provincial Challenge Championship, in Bloemfontein, on Saturday.
The championship will be making a welcome return to Bloemfontein on Saturday, with motocross riders from across South Africa, converging on the Tempe Motocross track.
It’s setting up to be a huge event with close to 300 riders, including Bako, having already entered.
Bako, who is a member of Terra Topia Dirt Bike Club, which is based in the Fourways area of Johannesburg, has been included in the Gauteng Province team.
He will be fighting for honours in the 85cc Pro Mini Class. The championship comes hard on the heels of the fifth round of the 2021 South African National Championship series, held last Saturday, at Chestnut Hill Motocross Park, in Gauteng. Bako was forced to settle for second place overall in the 85cc Pro Mini Class.
And, the 14-year-old Zimbabwean rider, who is now a household name in the South African motocross circuit, will be out to redeem himself.
His father and manager, Brighton, confirmed to The Herald yesterday they are set for the challenge championship, and Bako will be carrying the province’s flag, in the boys 85cc Pro Mini Class.
“Every year, a number of regional motocross events are held after every other weekend, in South Africa,’’ he said.
“But, they don’t come anywhere near the North vs South Inter-provincial Challenge Championship, in terms of the number of participants.
“(It) usually attracts more than 280 top junior and senior male and female riders, from different provinces, in South Africa.
“Emmanuel feels honoured to be included in the Gauteng Province team for this year’s race meeting.’’
At this stage, the entries received are high and the meeting will once again be living up to its reputation, as the largest event, in South Africa. In 2020, the championship did not take place because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The riders will be competing in a shootout, to see who is the best in their class, and earn the bragging rights for the next year.
It’s the eighth time the Bloemfontein Off-Road Club (BORC) will be hosting the event and, between 280 and 300 riders, are expected to compete.
The Free State will try to defend the prestigious title they claimed back in 2019.
Riders from the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and the Western Cape will all be in action on Saturday.
Online Reporter