Uganda’s motocross star Kateete competes as Kenyan due to FMU affiliation delay

Uganda’s female motocross rider, Sharifa Kateete, has been forced to compete under a Kenyan licence at the prestigious FIM Africa Women’s Motocross Championship in Oceania, Australia, this month.

This situation arose after the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) allegedly failed to renew its international annual affiliation on time.

Kateete is the first Ugandan rider to earn a spot in this championship, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). She secured her place following an impressive performance at the recently concluded FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN) in Marrakech, Morocco, where the MX Cranes team finished second overall.

During the MXOAN, organizers introduced a joint Women’s Motocross (WMX) category to identify the fastest female riders in Africa. Kateete finished among the top six, earning her the opportunity to represent Africa in Australia.

Unfortunately, Uganda has lost recognition as one of the African nations with the fastest female riders, as Kateete will now compete under the Kenyan flag.

The other five riders selected to represent Africa include Zambian Leah Heygate, South Africans Mienke Cawood, Zoe Botha, and Ivana Venter, as well as Kenyan Atete Benzinge.

In a confirmation email from FIM, it stated: “Africa is pleased to announce the selection of six female riders who will represent Africa in the 2nd edition of the FIM Oceania Women’s MX Cup: Heygate, Mienke, Benzinge, Kateete, Zoe, and Venter.”

According to Arthur Blick Junior, the deputy vice president of motorcycling at FMU, financial constraints prevented the federation from renewing its affiliation on time. “After our bank accounts were frozen, we couldn’t meet the deadline for renewal. To ensure Kateete didn’t miss this golden opportunity, she registered under Kenya,” he explained.

The FIM Africa Women’s Motocross Championship in Oceania is scheduled for March 22-23. The selected riders will first gather in South Africa for a training camp starting next week, which will continue until the event.