Miguel Katene(199) at start gate with other riders waiting to be flagged off.
FEDERATION of Motorsports Clubs of Uganda (FMU-UG) pours out praises to her gallant riders that participated in the FIM Junior Motocross World Championships in Bucharest, Romania.
The team which was fully funded by FMU using part of the resources coming from central government, initially comprised of riders 3 riders.
Team uganda parades with other countries at ceremonial opening of World championships.
Two in 65cc and one rider in the 85cc whose entries were published on the FIM website after fulfillment of FIM requirements, that included payment of the rider licenses and meeting the prerequisite speeds for the championship.
Unfortunately one of the riders Larry Ssekamwa, in MX65 did not secure his Visa in time while the MX85 rep Malcom Gift Ssebuguzi suffered a prequalification crash.
This left him with multiple fractures ending the African Champion’s medal hopes and raising Uganda’s flag high in Romania.
Ultimately, Uganda managed to have one rider in Miguel Katende beating all the odds and hitting the final race in the MX65 category amongst the three that had travelled to Romania.
Miguel became just one of three Africans in the final race of the elite world’s fastest 40 riders, together with two South Africans.
Miguel at the waiting gate
He is set to lock horns with them again in Cape Town at the African Championship.
Uganda’s second rider in same class and younger brother to Miguel, Jonathan Katende didn’t make it through the final qualifiers.
The team returns on Tuesday morning aboard Fly Dubai with Gift Ssebuguzi who painfully watched the race proceedings in casts on both legs, returning in a wheel chair.
Gift was only left to watch race in a wheelchair after fracturing himself at training.
Nevertheless, the FMU delegation and motocross fraternity will be at Entebbe Airport to receive them.
“We are glad to have had riders represent the Country at world championships for the first time ever, that alone is big milestone, then having rider qualify into the finals is a sound out to the world that Uganda exists in motocross,” proudly spoke out, FMU Deputy Vice President Motorcycling, Kisitu Mayanja.
Mayanja added: “Our gallant riders are returning home tomorrow (Tuesday) from world championships, big thanks go out to FMU Management, for having fully facilitated the team, as we look forward to the next International competitions in Cape Town, South Africa.”
In an unprecedented move, FMU fulfilled its August 2022 declaration to send riders to the World Championships when MXOAN event secretary at the time, Mr. Rey Kibira revealed to the press that after hosting the African event.
FMU was going to focus on sending riders to the world championships. One year later, FMU President, Dipu Ruparelia and his Management Team voted to fully fund the team including airticket fares for all riders and support team, hire bikes for each rider, pay a team mechanic in Romania and take care of the team’s accommodation expenses.
This becomes the first of its kind in the history of the sport and is owed to the improved relationship between the Federation and the Government.
Uganda is set to send a team of over 60 riders to the FIM-AFRICA Motocross of African Nations( MXOAN) slated for 11th-13th August, 2023.
