adminTedious Manyepo Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S hopes of sending a team to the annual FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships in Kenya are hanging by a thread due to lack of sponsorship.
This year’s event takes place in the East African nation from August 30 to September 1.
But Zimbabwe, who successfully hosted the event last year, might not be represented at the championships if no well-wishers save the situation before the end of this week.
Gary Grainger, the chairman of the Bogwheelers Club who run motocross in this country, told The Herald yesterday that no Zimbabwean racer has yet confirmed participation at the African motocross flagship event.
“At the moment no motocross racer in the country has confirmed participation at the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championships.
“Zimbabwe might not be represented at the event this year as motocross riders cannot go it alone.
“They need sound sponsorship that can enable them to participate at an event of that magnitude,” he said.
South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Uganda and Zambia are the other countries expected to send representatives at this annual event.
The sport of motocross has struggled to get financial backers despite the country having great potential to excel at the highest level.
The notion that the sport is elitist has not helped the situation either.
The country had been pinning its hopes on Zimbabwe’s motocross “golden girl” Tanya Muzinda to fly high its flag at the event but the 11-year-old is unable to perform at the continental event in Kenya as she has to rest after completing her maiden month-long tour of Europe.
Muzinda, who snatched 6th overall position when the competition was hosted in Zimbabwe last year, flew back into the country at the weekend from her adventure in Europe in which she raced in Italy, Netherlands and Belgium.
The young rider is reported to have “charmed” a lot of motocross followers in Europe who have now offered her a chance to launch her professional career there.
Muzinda is expected to issue a press statement soon through her international manager, former three-time world women motocross champion Stefy Bau of Italy, who is now based in the United States.
Bau facilitated Muzinda’s tour of Europe as she would like the Zimbabwean racer to first break into professional motocross in Europe before moving her to the United States where there the sport is really big and is taken seriously by many female bikers.
Bau also runs a professional motocross school at her base in the United States. Muzinda’s trip to Europe was sponsored by a number of local companies who include NetOne, MBCA Bank, Pan African Mining, Doves Holding, Nyaradzo Funeral Services, Schweppes Zimbabwe, Nicoz Diamond, Nestle Zimbabwe, LaFarge, Bilboes Gold and TIMB.
Online Reporter