SPEDU concluded a memorandum of understanding(MoU) signing Thursday with organizers of the South African Motorsport that will see the Toyota 1000km Desert Race commonly called Mantshwabisi hosted in Selibi Phikwe over the next 5 years, as the race headquarters with start and finish points as well as service park designated in a town where the BCL mine closure has led to job losses.
“The relevant parties being Government officials, race officials and farmers, will develop a race route on this land and in that way, the economic productivity of land that has lain fallow for decades will be significantly enhanced,” said Dr Mokubung Mokubung, SPEDU CEO.
He said, “Happy as we are to be accommodating a new investment on our land as well as diversifying the geographic concentration of economic activity on it, we are never going to compromise the agricultural productivity of our land.”
Mokubung revealed that sports tourism is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of more than 41% between 2017 and 2021 and therefore hosting the race given challenges around creating jobs was felt to be a prudent investment with tourism’s contribution to GDP rising steadily.
Already Selibi Phikwe hosts Botswana’s first national marathon to be accredited by the IAAF as well as the Selibi Phikwe Softball Extravangaza and for cyclists, Tour de Tuli. The Toyota 1000km Desert Race is expected to become the towns crown jewel as efforts to diversify mining towns economy intensify.
The race which was first run between 1975 and 1980 with sponsorship from Total and IGI has carved a niche for itself on the national sports calendar. Between 1981 and 1990 the race relocated to South Africa returning in 1991. SACS expressed excitement about relocation from Jwaneng to Selibi Phikwe.
“The new terrain promises to provide a stern test for the teams which is a key characteristic of the Desert race. The Toyota 1000 Desert Race provides a major financial injection to areas in which the event is held and the move creates the opportunity for communities to benefit from the race,” said Gregg Higgins, SACCS Event Director.
He said, “There is also a safety and environmental aspect to relocating and every effort will be made to make the route safe and environmental friendly. The huge interest in the Toyota 1000 Desert Race generates is indicative of the popularity of motor racing in Botswana and the event will again include a round of the BMS motorcycle championships.”
Botswana Motor Sport(BMS) has expressed its joy at its continued association with the event saying the Toyota Desert Race means ‘Opportunity, Knowledge, Execution,’ and that collaboration would help to enhance understanding of event organization so local stakeholders could develop sports in Botswana, where it is limited to those with the financial means and it has not got grass roots participation.
“The biggest challenges that we always faced with the Toyota 1000 Desert Race and all other events are the unsafe acts of spectators and road users and competitors and hereby plea to the country at large to take extra caution when being a spectator at any off road event especially the Toyota 1000 Desert Race, to refrain from using the race route, taking pictures of competitors whilst standing on the route, these acts my fellow citizens ae very dangerous and can lead to serious injuries,” said Jackie Meyer, Secretary General of Botswana Motorsport.
