One of the most iconic sporting event, the Toyota 1000 Desert Race (TDR) affectionately known as Mantshwabisi, could return home in 2023 after a two-year of absence. The last two editions of the TDR were held in Upington, South Africa, after factors such as COVID-19 restrictions hindered Botswana to host the event.

Last Friday, the ‘owners’ of the event, South Africa Cross-country Championship Series (SACCS) confirmed in a statement they are in talks with the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) over the return of the three-day long race with the decision to be made in January.

“We have no doubt most if not all of you, saw the social media posts of the announcement made by the acting BTO CEO Tshegofatso Carl-Ponoesele, at a Tourism Expo in Botswana earlier this week. We have been and are currently in discussion with BTO for the event to return to Botswana. However, details of the proposed event have not been finalised yet and we hope to make a final announcement on the destination of the 2023 Toyota 1000 Desert Race by midJanuary,” the statement reads.

Sources have, however, disclosed to Mmegi Sport negotiations for the return of the Mantshwabisi have proven to be difficult as the BTO has left out the sport’s governing body, the Botswana Motor Sport (BMS). The sources said the BTO overlooked the BMS and crossed the borders to open talks with SACCS through the Motorsport South Africa.

“It is disturbing that we have a governing body that affiliates to an international federation but they are ignored. Selebi-Phikwe was a disaster because BTO ran to BMS at the last hour after they created a mess. Once again they are going down the same road by ignoring the local federation,” the source said.

“FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) is very strict on these matters. The MSA once had a case to answer because they negotiated with the government of a country rather than the local federation. It should be the BMS who negotiate for the country instead of the BTO. The BTO should not use their financial muscle to undermine the BMS. This does not look good on motorsport in Botswana and anything that happens it will be the BMS that will answer since they are affiliated with the international mother body not the BTO,” the sources said.

Mmegi Sport is further informed that the current negotiations could see the TDR held in March under the same format rather than in June as it has been the norm. This is due to a running contract between SACCS and Upington, which ends in 2023.

Upington would keep the June dates but not the TDR rights. Contacted for comment, the BMS president, Kagiso Modibedi welcomed the return of the event but did not want to divulge more on to the matter.

“We are happy that finally the desert race might come home. We have also seen the statement from South Africa but at the moment we do not have much to say. We are in the dark and we feel maybe we should be involved more. The BMS is willing to be part of any negotiations that will bring the race here in Botswana,” Modibedi said.

The BMS will meanwhile, host the 2023 MX and Cross-Country Championship season awards at the GICC this evening.