Southern Motor Club (SMC) has flagged off nine motocross riders who will represent Uganda at the Motorcross of African Nations Championships in Windhoek, Namibia, this weekend.
Roy Faith Nagaddya, Ariellah Katende, Faith Deedan, Abigail Katende, Joy Norah Akau, Jonathan Katende, Jerome Mubiru, Shafiu Mululi and Miguel Katende are part of Uganda’s 37-rider squad heading to the continental championship.
SMC patron and double Uganda National Rally Champion, Ponsiano Lwakataka urged the riders to balance their ambition for victory with caution, warning them against crashes and injuries.
“Our club is a winner. Everyone is afraid of us, so they call us stupid and reckless drivers (Mafu Mafu). Go to Namibia knowing that apart from looking for points for the MX Cranes, our club flag has to keep flying high,” Lwakataka said.
SMC also supported its riders with a fuel package worth Shs3 million, while Lwakataka personally added cash for each rider to help with upkeep during the trip.
Club MX captain, Miguel Katende assured SMC members that the team would return from Namibia with trophies and medals, citing the club’s dominance in the national motocross championship.
“The crème de la crème on the MX Cranes is from our club, so we are going to Namibia to represent SMC and Uganda to the best of our ability,” Katende said.
The club’s confidence is backed by its strong performance in the national championship, with all nine SMC riders currently ranked among the top three in their respective categories.
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Nagaddya leads the MX50cc Junior category, while Ariellah Katende tops the MX50cc Senior Ladies class. Deedan, Abigail Katende and Akau occupy first, second and third positions respectively in the MX65cc Ladies category.
Jonathan Katende leads the MX85cc category, while Jerome Mubiru and Miguel Katende are among the leading riders in the MX125cc category.
With the national championship standings firmly in their favour, SMC will be hoping its riders can translate their domestic dominance into medals when the action gets underway in Windhoek.
