Cold reception for Branch

Branch became the second Motswana to compete at the iconic event where he won the best Rookie award while finishing 13th overall.  As the rider arrived at the airport on Tuesday evening, only a handful of people turned out to embrace their hero while many prominent sport figures including the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) shunned the occasion.  However, the new Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Tshekedi Khama was present. 

"Ross has done really well, he has climbed mountains in Dakar. For him to go there is an achievement on it's own and to win the rookie award is massive. For him it's a personal achievement and for the country is a massive achievement and a milestone for us.  I was expecting a lot more people; I was hoping we would have been able to give him a bigger recognition. But in our hearts, Ross is still number one, that's what counts, to us, Ross is a hero," Crosbie said.  He blamed the poor turn out on the little support that motor sport receives in the country.