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Collin Matiza–Sports Editor
THE 2024 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships will be held in Morocco and promising young Zimbabwean rider Victor Nyamupfukudza has already thrown his hat into the ring for this continental event.
This year’s FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships were successfully held at Zone 7 track in Cape Town, South Africa, from August 11 to 13 where more than 200 riders from more than eight countries took part.
As expected, the hosts South Africa, who fielded more riders than any other country at this event, emerged as the overall champions in the team event with 728 points, fol-lowed by Zimbabwe (384 points) and Zambia (233 points).
In fact, there were 11 countries competing and over 200 participants made up of 66 South Africans – 36 were part of the team and the balance were individual riders.
This was a phenomenal weekend of racing and the increase in participation really showed the growing popularity of the sport across the African continent, according to the organisers of this year’s Championships.
Country entries included Botswana (19 riders), Kenya (17), Madagascar (18), Morocco (3), Namibia (20), South Africa (36), Zambia (23) and Zimbabwe (24).
And it was announced at the business end of this year’s competition that the organisers of the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships — FIM Africa — have given Morocco the rights to host the next edition of this big continental event.
The Championships will be moving to the North African country for the first time after the last three editions of the competition were held in Zimbabwe, Uganda and most recently in South Africa in 2019, 2022 and 2023 respectively.
And with almost a year to go before the next edition of the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships rev off in Morocco, one of Zimbabwe’s top junior riders Nyamupfukudza is already looking forward to taking part in this event.
In fact, the nine-year-old Nyamupfukudza, a Grade Four pupil at Elland Oak Junior School in the Waterfalls area of Harare, has taken part in the last three editions of the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships in Zimbabwe, Uganda and South Africa. And he is now aiming at taking another shot at the African Championships after an impressive performance at this year’s competition in Cape Town where he emerged as one of the most outstanding riders from Team Zimbabwe.
Competing in the 50cc Class, which had a massive field of 33 riders, Nyamupfukudza rode brilliantly during the two-day of action to emerge third overall as he walked away with a trophy and a bronze medal.
This was a phenomenal and a remarkable achievement for the young rider whose father and manager, Simbarashe, revealed that they always operate on a shoe-string budget during each year of racing. Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday, Simbarashe Nyamupfukudza said he was charmed by his son’s recent performance during this year’s FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships in Cape Town and would like him to have another dance with the Championships in Morocco next year.
In fact, next year will see Victor graduating to race in the more demanding 65cc Class from the 50cc Class.
“I was so impressed by Victor’s outstanding performance in Cape Town that I nearly cried and we are definitely going to take part in the next African Championships in Morocco next year.
“We have to start working on the budget and try to bring a number of sponsors — both from the corporate world and individuals — on board,” Simbarashe Nyamupfukudza said.
He said he hopes Victor’s participation at next year’s FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships in Morocco will open the doors for the young rider to race in Europe.
“It has always been my dream for Victor to go and race in Europe and I think if he participates at next year’s continental competition in Morocco, it will open avenues or doors for him to race in top junior races in Europe.
“I personally think that we have to give these youngsters the much-needed international exposure when they are still young.
“It helps in opening up their brains and for them to remain focused in racing. They must not only be restricted to racing at home at Donnybrook or in South Africa.
“They must be exposed to the tough conditions overseas and this will help in toughening them up as they aim to turn into professional racers abroad.
“So, for Victor, I think his final destination is in Europe and it starts by him competing in the next edition of the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships in Morocco next year,” Simbarashe Nyamupfukudza said.
He also paid tribute to people like Cephas Albert Mutsadyanga of Multim Plastics of Graniteside in Harare, Big “Bigs” Chitima and Trevor Thixton who helped Victor before and during his preparations for this year’s African Championships. “Firstly, I would like to say thank you to Cephas Albert Mutsadyanga of Multimplastics who managed to give us US$200 which went towards our trip to Cape Town.
“We also have people like Big Chitima and Trevor Thixton who helped in training Victor before and during this year’s FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships . . . I would like to take off my hat to them,” said Simbarashe Nyamupfukudza.
“I must also not forget Victor’s school – Elland Oak Junior School — who have been very supportive in this tough journey of motocross racing both at home and outside our borders.”
Online Reporter