The Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN) is set to be hosted by Uganda for the second time since its inaugural launch back in 2009. Uganda hosted the event in Busiika- 2012, participated, and won the championship beating South Africa for the first time (South Africa had been the leading winner since 2009). FIM Africa had given the green light for Uganda to host in 2020, but the pandemic hit and everything was postponed. The event was last hosted in Donnybrook Harare-Zimbabwe in 2019 and it saw South Africa as the winning country that year.
South Africa has won the championship an incredible nine times, Kenya won it in 2016, and Uganda back in 2012. The sport scheduled to take place 06th to 08th August 2021 will attract riders from across Africa and there has already been confirmation of participation from three countries so far Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe with thirty riders confirmed for each country as well as host country Uganda. Entry for participation opened on 09th May and will close on 09th July 2021. Each participating country is allowed to enter more than five riders in each class but only five riders are designated for the championship as official riders.
Uganda is looking to contend for that championship for its second time hosting with riders like The Blick brothers, Miguel and Jonathan Katende, Jerome Makumbi, and Filbert Muwonge already in training getting ready to go up against other African riders and also to represent their home proudly. Back in 2012, riders like Maxime Van Pee, Fatuh Kiggundu, and Ssentamu Emmanuel put Uganda ahead and they also gave stunning performances.
FIM Africa appointed Tony Rowley (Zimbabwe) as jury president, Gillian Dykes (South Africa) as a foreign jury member, Joseph Mwangala as Clerk of Course, Jake Cheney (South Africa) as race director, Joshua Mayanja as assistant clerk-of-course, Jared Kalera as jury secretary, and Noella Blick as the chief technical officer. Back in May, Rowley inspected the Garuga race track and appreciated the work done so far, “The environment is quite good, work on the track I can say is at 65% and I think the rest of the work can be done in a time frame of like three weeks from now” he said while addressing the media. Federation for Motorsport Uganda (FMU) also held training for officials targeted in general sporting regulations.
Uganda currently ranks third in the championship, in second Zimbabwe and lead being South Africa.
