The Botswana Motor Sport (BMS) will dispatch a three-member squad to the championship in Pretoria, marking the first participation of local go-kart racers in an international competition.
This form of motorsport is gradually gaining popularity in Africa, already well-established in Europe, Asia, and North America. Kart racing serves as a grassroots development stage, with Formula One legends like Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton honing their skills in the discipline early in their careers. More than 40 riders from 15 countries will converge on the Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria, competing for the continental throne.
The Botswana team comprises teenagers Kgosi Kgosane, 15, and Muhammad Ahmad, 15, racing in the OKN class, accompanied by Hamzah Ahmad, 13, in the same class. Coach Joe Khengere, expressed to MmegiSport the significance of Botswana's participation, noting the country's prominence in the sport, exemplified by Ross Branch's recent second-place finish at the Dakar Rally. "In terms of finishing places, we are targeting number one.
The team selection was on short notice. The team has, however, been able to have training sessions on a live track last weekend. In that session, one of the drivers set the fastest lap time and was just a mere two seconds from the racetrack record," Khengere outlined the team's ambitious goal. The team plans another training camp in South Africa.
Kgosane, with aspirations for Formula One, leads the experienced trio, while Ahmad an off-road driver and navigator, makes his debut in competitive kart racing. Ahmad, a simulation driver, is also set for his competitive kart racing debut. Khengere emphasised the trio's role as proof of the growth of the motorsport scene in Botswana. While locals have participated in enduro, motocross, and off-road, kart and simulation racing are recent additions. Khengere highlighted the need for motorsport development in Botswana, calling for government and the private sector participation to make the sport accessible. "Motorsport has needed development in Botswana for years.
Currently, there are not many platforms for the youth to enter motorsport, and motorsport is one such field that you have to start when you are very young. Through BMS and FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the long-term plan is to create an actual race track in Botswana, where youngsters' skills can be developed, and have a training academy." "We have a lot of talent in Botswana, and we have been breaking records across the codes internationally. So unless we get facilities in the country, it becomes tougher to showcase our talent. It is very expensive, and we need government and the private sector participation to make sure motorsport is accessible to everyone," said Khengere. Muhammad and Kgosane will be contending for a place in the FIA World Karting Championship scheduled to take place later this year in Portugal.
The top three finishers in the OKN class will secure qualification for the World Series.
