Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-01-28 21:00:00
The Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) held its annual awards ceremony in Nairobi on Saturday night, where the late rally driver Jim Heather-Hayes was declared the Kenya Motorsports Personality of the Year for 2023. Heather-Hayes, a veteran in the rally world, passed away in 2022 and was recognized for his extensive contribution to the sport, including mentoring the next generation of motorsport champions.
The awards ceremony celebrated outstanding performances in various categories such as the Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC), Rally Raid, Tarmac, Karting, 4×4, Autocross, and Africa Rally Championships. However, while the winners were being celebrated, there was a call for efforts to revamp these championships to attract more sponsorship and entries.
In recent years, there has been a decline in competitor entries in national motorsports competitions, particularly the KNRC, following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The increased competition costs have made it difficult for drivers to sustain their involvement in the sport.
The decline in entries is evident in the lower numbers of cars participating in the rounds of the KNRC, which used to draw a considerable number of entries in the past. The new leadership of the KMSF is being urged to find ways to attract more corporate sponsorships and provide cash rewards in addition to the trophies at the annual awards to show appreciation to the drivers.
With less than 70 days to go for the Safari Rally scheduled for March 28-31, there is hope that the organizers will ensure a world-class event is delivered on its traditional Easter date. The same level of dedication seen in the organization of the World Rally Championship Safari Rally is desired for the KNRC. It is important for the government and rallying stakeholders to address the declining participation in these championships and work towards making them more sustainable and attractive.
