Atete, Apollo among those feted during Motorcycle awards

Motocross stars Atete Benzinge and Apollo Mbuki were among the standout riders feted at the Motorcycle Sports Federation of Kenya (MSFK) Awards held at the Offroad Adventures EA in Karen.

Atete, who competed in the National and FIM Central Africa Motocross Challenge (CAC), was named the Lady Rider of the Year following her good performance in the 2023 season.

She also represented the country in the FIM African Motocross of African Nations in Cape (MXOAN) in Cape Town, South Africa, and finished third overall nationally in the MX85 category.

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Mbuki, one of the country’s seasoned riders, received the MSFK Meritorious Award for winning back-to-back MX1 Championship titles, finishing second in the region and seventh in Africa.

Superbikers Sarmad Asif and Altaf Hussein were named the MSFK for their resilience and determination in the two-wheel sport. Samad finished second in the 1000cc Class in the 2023 Sleek SuperBike Series.

For the second year running, East African Motor Sports Club (EAMSC) was declared the Club of the Year with chair Mutahi Wariithi receiving the trophy on their behalf.

Shanna Kandie received the coveted Women in Motorcycling Award whilst the Sustainability award went to Tom Harlings.

Karan Sehmi received the Beaulah Schoeman Award from his namesake and rally driver Karan Patel.

Karan, who is also FIA African Rally Champion and former East Africa 85cc Motocross Champion was among those who graced the occasion.

The awards preceded the first round of the Kenya National Motocross Championship which gets underway at Jamhuri Park on Sunday, February 11.

Motorcycle Sports Federation of Kenya (MSFK) president Renzo Bernardi congratulated all winners of 2023 and revealed that plans are afoot to open up the competition to the Eastern and Central Africa region "allowing riders to participate through a simplified regional licensing system, giving riders the opportunity to hone their skills.”

To serve all members efficiently, Renzo also noted that they are restructuring and aligning with the Federation to FIM standards by creating a sports commission and beyond sports commission each to be headed by a chair.

“We believe that this robust structure will provide a firm foundation to fully exploit the potential for growth in the future,” remarked Renzo.

SPECIAL AWARDS

1. RALLY RAID NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:BIKE TIM JESSOP

2. FIM AFRICA EAST & CENTRAL AFRICA CHAMPION-MX2: ALEX KANDIE

3. KARIN BERNARDI TROPHY/ANGUS YOUNG TROPHY: NON-SPORTING- ERIC NGURE & SPORTING-MMC & TORBEN RUNE

4. LADY RIDER OF THE YEAR: ATETE BENZINGE

5. MERITORIOUS AWARD: APOLLO MBUKI

6. SUSTAINABILITY: TOM HARLINGS

7. WOMEN IN MOTORCYCLING: SHANNA KANDIE

8. PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR: SARMAD ASIF & ALTAF HUSSEIN

9. CLUB OF THE YEAR: EAST AFRICA MOTOR SPORTS CLUB -EAMSC