Uganda motocross team, Motocross Cranes were on Tuesday flagged off for the annual FIM-AFRICA Motocross of African Nations Championship (MXOAN) slated for 11th-13th August, 2023 at Zone7- Speedspot race track in Cape Town. The team was flagged off by representatives from Federation of Motorsports Clubs of Uganda (FMU), National Council of Sports (NCS) and riders’ parents.
The event will see no fewer than eight African countries compete in the MX 50, MX 65, MX Lites, MX 125, MX 1, MX 2, Vets and Masters’ classes, as well as the WMX class for ladies.
Motocross Cranes will be one of the sides to challenge South Africa’s riders after this year’s hosts took the leading country award in Uganda in 2022 by just one point.
Motocross Cranes team manager, Reynolds Kibira says that his side is revved up for the showpiece as the riders have prepared very well for the continental meet.
“As team manager I believe that we will do well. We are going to Cape Town to represent Uganda as a country. We started preparing for this event at the beginning of the year and the riders have been working together,” Kibira said adding that though they had challenges with resources during preparations, he believes that the riders are now good to go.
Joseph Oluga who is the Assistant General Secretary of NCS led the officials who flagged off the team. He was excited to see very young riders being flagged off to represent their country at the continental stage.
“This sends out a very strong message that to be an expert in something, you must invest at a young age,” Oluga said adding that motorsport is one of the sports disciplines which is prioritized by government.
Uganda will field riders through different classes ranging from the MX 50, MX 65, MX Lites, MX 125, MX 2, MX 1 and VMX Veterans.
Miguel Katende who will participate in the MX 65 category is one of the riders who participated in the FIM Junior Motocross World Championships held recently in Bucharest, Romania where he made it to the final race. The 12 year has expressed readiness ahead of the South Africa event.
“Because of the test in Romania, I believe we will have a better performance in South Africa. We have also prepared well so we expect good results,” Katende said.
Jonathan Katende (Miguel’s brother) Haruna Ramathan Mubiru, Larry Ssekamwa, Ashraf Mbabazi Jr, Isaac Mitima, Ethan Musede and Rashid Mutebi are Uganda’s other riders in the MX 65 class.
The MX 50 riders are; Jude Kyle Musedde, Jamairah Makumbi, Noel Ssekamwa, Faith Deedan Angel, Abigali Katende, Elie Mitima, Eadric Musede, Solomon Winyi, Israel Mpuga and Abigali Muwanguzi.
Jerome Mubiru, Ron Young, Dan Emmanuel Mitima and Jason Burrows are in the MX Lites categories.
Milton Obote Akaki, Waleed Al Muzahim Al Omar, Shadrack Nsubuga Kreidah, Daryl Muhindo and Alon Orland are in the MX 125 category.
For the MX2 category, there is Jonathan Muhindo, Stav Orland and Fortune Emmanual Ssentamu whilst Isima Mukiibi is in the MX 1 category. VMX veterans class has Ashraf Mbabazi, George Juncture Serugunda and Shafique Sekitto
A few days ago, FMU announced that they decided to cover all priorities to enable 34 selected riders participate competitively. Noella Blick who represented the federation president at the flag off ceremony believes that FMU coming through for the riders was a good thing and good results are expected.
