Kenya's Bharij loses lead in Classic Rally after a penalty

Kenyan driver Raaji Bharij wades through a river on Decmber 9, 2022 in Stage 3 that stretched between Saos to Kipsaos within the Rift Valley region in the East African Mini Classic Rally. PHOTOS/COURTESY

Kenyan driver Raaji Bharij thought he had an eight-second going into the final round of the 2022 East African Mini Classic Rally that concludes in Eldoret today, but he was wrong.

Bharij, who took control of the standings on Friday with a whooping five minutes, clocked 05:59:53.0 for the lead on Day Two yesterday, but he was to be later hit with a five minute penalty which opened the way for defending champion Baldev Chager to take over the lead.

Kenyan duo of Piers Daykin and Tarik Malik who were hot the heels of Bharij retained second position ahead of the final day action.

Chager, who is looking for a hattrick of wins now has a big chance of doing so after a torrid outing in opening stages of the event.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba who flagged off the Day Two contest at Rupa Mall in Eldoret said the government is fully committed to supporting the Classic Rally saying the competition is providing a source of livelihood for many Kenyans involved in its organisation.

"This rally is improving our Gross Domestic Product, it's supporting President William Ruto's bid to revive our economy," Ababu told Standard Sports.

The CS said over 140 million people across the world are currently keeping abreast with the ongoing race, an act he said is immeasurable in terms of marketing, branding and publicity for the country.

Ababu also pledged tax rebate to sponsors involved in sports.

He said sponsors will be able to claim up to 30 per cent (or the all of their taxes) through claw back in their commitment to support sports.

"Sponsors should know that tax relief, or the tax break, is already in effect. They will be able to put up claims for it, if they have money to put into sports then this is the right moment to do so," Namwamba said.

The CS said the state will relax visa requirements for international athletes who are taking part in local championships and this kind gesture will start with foreign drivers who have put up their entries for the 2023 East African Safari Classic Rally slated for December.

"We want to ease their movement in and out of the country, including their cars and other sporting gears," Namwamba said.

He also said the government was on a mission to revive sports facilities in the country which he said are in very shameful state.

The revival of local infrastructure should give Kenya an edge in her bid to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which the country will officially present to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in January.

"We have the potential to qualify or host the AFCON, we only need to be more organised, more focused and more passionate about our sports.

"We lost the 1996 AFCON to South Africa and the 2018 CHAN to Morocco due to the inadequate sporting facilities. It is still the same poor infrastructures that are hindering our development in sports as the facilities are in a very sorry state.

"We have already audited Kinoru stadium, our next inspection will be the Kipchoge Keino Stadium and Stadium 64 in Eldoret which we have already studied their reports.

"We want to put our house in order before we make the bid to host the AFCON," Namwamba said.

The state of facilities however mean Kenya has a lot to do if they are to win the bid.

He called elite footballers including Michael Olunga, McDonald Mariga, Victor Wanyama, Dennis Oliech among others to be part of the new Government's plan to revive the game in the country.

"We want the players, not in a playing capacity but to help with advisory roles, selections and spoting of talents. The government will launch an inter counties football tournament where the elite players will have a chance to play the needed roles."