A JOCKEY’S DELIGHT Maun Horse Race to go on as scheduled
HORSE race fans will be treated to another edition of the annual Maun Horse Race at the Shashe Horse Track in the coming Easter holidays.
Mascom’s attempt to bring in a new technical partner attracted the wrath of Judge Zein Kebonang, who prohibited the giant mobile network company from holding a similar event until the matter is resolved at the High Court. Mascom has been the main sponsor of the event for the past 14 years.
Mascom fell out with horse track owner and race organiser, Chaledgwa Mabua, last month following their plans to relocate the event to Ma-sa Race Park in Samedupi village, a little over 10 kilometres outside Maun.
In statement released this week, the company states that the decision to appoint a new technical partner was as an outcome of a business partnership review and an opportunity to partner with a member-based horse racing association made up of horse owners, jockeys, stables, organisers, and clubs.
The statement further said they needed partners that could bring a vast wealth of knowledge and experience in the sport, garnered from some of the members’ popular events, including the Kokotsha race, Khawa Dune Challenge, Gabz July and the Champions cup.
The matter is still before the Gaborone High Court, awaiting finalisation.
Despite the uncertainty that followed the departure of Mascom, horse owners have quickly dusted themselves up and are moving ahead with plans for the Easter holidays.
This past Saturday, the horse owners and jockeys had a mini competition at the Shashe track in preparation for the main race, which is scheduled to take place on 8th April.
“We raised funds to enable us to test our strengths before the main event,” said one of the horse owners and organisers, Gopolang Gabanatsela.
Another horse owner, Masale Maoto, told Voice Sport that they intend to defend their turf against the more fancied horses on the 8th.
“You’d have noticed that horses from Namibia and Kokotsha have been dominating this horse race. This time around, as Maun horse owners, we plan to give them a run for their money,” declared Maoto confidently.
In an interview with Voice Sport, Mabua has assured horse race lovers that this year’s event will take place as planned, but with a new sponsor or sponsors yet to be revealed.
“What I can assure you is that the race is still on and I would like to take this opportunity to advise Batswana not to be discouraged by anything else but to come and have fun and enjoy the race. We have found sponsors and we are going to have a great event,” assured Mabua in a brief interview this week.