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With such a rich tapestry of talent, skill, and ambition converging on Cape Town's tracks, expectations aren't just high; they're sky-rocketing.
A riveting motocross spectacle awaits enthusiasts at Cape Town's illustrious Zone 7 track from August 11-13, as Uganda's crème de la crème riders prepare to ascend the podium at the FIM Motocross of Africa Nations (MXOAN) Championship.
The championship, proudly hosted by Motorsport South Africa, is fast shaping up to be a battlefield of mettle, talent, and raw determination.
Leading Uganda's charge are riders Fortune Ssentamu, Stav Orland, and the much-touted Miguel Katende.
Despite missing the 2022 MXOAN that was hosted by uganda, Ssentamu and Orland are back, bolstering the team's chances with their prowess and experience.
"We are more than ready, happy to be back on the team and we are looking forward to scoring vital points," Ssentamu told the Daily Monitor.
The duo is set to compete in the MX2 Championship. And not just as participants: they come armed with an advantage, having contested in two South African National Championships.
Their recent feats in SA bear testimony to their formidable form: Orland clinched a remarkable second position, while Ssentamu secured a respectable eighth in the MX2 category.
But the man many are eager to watch is Miguel Katende, fresh off his commendable stint at the World Championships in Romania. In the 65cc category, whispers in motocross circles tip him not just as a competitor, but as the potential winner.
This fervour is fuelled by Uganda's impressive third-place finish in the previous year's event at the Victoria racetrack in Garuga, where South Africa emerged victoriously, closely followed by Zambia.
Yet, the strength of Uganda's participation isn't just in its stars. A formidable cavalry of 34 riders have been flagged off, each with fire in their bellies and ambitions as vast as the African continent.
This stellar representation from Uganda ensures the nation's place among the 11 countries set to blaze the tracks with their prowess, making this championship an unmissable event.
Promising global limelight, the MXOAN championship offers Ugandan riders the perfect stage to showcase their talents against Africa's finest.
The world still recalls the Katende brothers' – Miguel and Johnathan – dazzling debut at the World Junior MX Championships in Budapest, Romania.
Marking history as the first Ugandans at such an esteemed event, their journey, albeit lined with trials, was a treasure trove of lessons and laurels.
Miguel's awe-inspiring finish as the third-best African rider there solidified his reputation as a force to reckon with.
Joining the brothers is the young dynamo, Abigail Katende, set to conquer the 50cc (peewee) class, accompanied by talents such as Abigail Muwanguzi, Jude Kyle Musede, and Jamairah Makumbi.
The MX 65 cc category too will witness a blitzkrieg from Haruna Ramathan, Larry Ssekamwa, and Ashraf Mbabazi Jr, especially given their recent eye-catching performances during the third round of the South African MX Championship.
With such a rich tapestry of talent, skill, and ambition converging on Cape Town's tracks, expectations aren't just high; they're sky-rocketing.
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