Depressed Kadri quits rallying
Jun 24, 2009
RALLY navigator Sayed Kadri has retired from the sport. Kadri survived the accident which claimed the life of his driver Riyaz Kurji in the KCB Pearl of Africa Uganda rally last month.
By Douglas Mazune
RALLY navigator Sayed Kadri has retired from the sport. Kadri survived the accident which claimed the life of his driver Riyaz Kurji in the KCB Pearl of Africa Uganda rally last month.
In an interview, Kadri said he had decided to quit but would still serve the sport as an official or sponsor. Kadri’s company, Packaging Technologies, usually sponsors events.
“I can’t sit in another driver’s car and compete again. I started with Riyaz and I ended with him. No more,†Kadri stated.
The 43-year-old Kadri started motor rallying in 2002 with Kurji in a Nissan Pulsar at Kaazi and stuck with his driver for seven years.
“Joining rallying helped me socialise and I made a lot of contacts. Even today my contacts in sports are very useful. I will miss out on the fun,†Kadri said.
The crew of Kadri and Kurji won the prestigious Pearl of Africa rally in 2005, 2006 and the fateful 2009 edition. Kurji was declared champion posthumously, having led the rally that ended prematurely due to the gruesome accident in Mityana in the final leg.
The crew also unanimously scooped the uganda telecom/Uganda Sports Press Association Sports Personalities of May.
* Newly elected federation of motorsport clubs of Uganda FMU president George Kagimu has promised to immediately embark on rebuilding the image of the sport.
Kagimu, a retired driver, was elected unopposed to replace David Bitalo on June 13 and observed that there is urgent need to bolster the image of the sport and attract sponsorship.
“I have got great sponsorship ideas that we will discuss with my executive as soon as possible. Hopefully we will be able to mobilise a lot sponsors. It’s also important that we give the sport the best image as well,†Kagimu remarked.
Kagimu, who was also vice president of United Motorsport Club in the 1990s, promised that his reign would ensure transparency, discipline, integrity and strict adherence to rules of the sport.
Kagimu pointed out there were some cases of indiscipline that went unpunished in the past. He said he was confident his executive was capable of revamping the sport to regain its past glory.
The assembly retained vice presidents Oscar Kihiika (administration) and Kisitu Mayanja (rallying) and Cedric Buzabo (karting). Chris Glaser is vice president in charge of motorcycling after Arthur Blick declined re-election.
Lillian Busingye was voted secretary unopposed with Mukiibi Katende as her assistant. The treasurer will be appointed by the new executive.
The assembly resolved the old executive presents the treasurer’s report within 90 days following the absence of outgoing treasurer Omar Mayanja.
The assembly approved the admission of Eastern, Central, Uganda Motocross, MPU Motorsport and Jinja motor clubs.
RALLY navigator Sayed Kadri has retired from the sport. Kadri survived the accident which claimed the life of his driver Riyaz Kurji in the KCB Pearl of Africa Uganda rally last month.
In an interview, Kadri said he had decided to quit but would still serve the sport as an official or sponsor. Kadri’s company, Packaging Technologies, usually sponsors events.
“I can’t sit in another driver’s car and compete again. I started with Riyaz and I ended with him. No more,†Kadri stated.
The 43-year-old Kadri started motor rallying in 2002 with Kurji in a Nissan Pulsar at Kaazi and stuck with his driver for seven years.
“Joining rallying helped me socialise and I made a lot of contacts. Even today my contacts in sports are very useful. I will miss out on the fun,†Kadri said.
The crew of Kadri and Kurji won the prestigious Pearl of Africa rally in 2005, 2006 and the fateful 2009 edition. Kurji was declared champion posthumously, having led the rally that ended prematurely due to the gruesome accident in Mityana in the final leg.
The crew also unanimously scooped the uganda telecom/Uganda Sports Press Association Sports Personalities of May.
* Newly elected federation of motorsport clubs of Uganda FMU president George Kagimu has promised to immediately embark on rebuilding the image of the sport.
Kagimu, a retired driver, was elected unopposed to replace David Bitalo on June 13 and observed that there is urgent need to bolster the image of the sport and attract sponsorship.
“I have got great sponsorship ideas that we will discuss with my executive as soon as possible. Hopefully we will be able to mobilise a lot sponsors. It’s also important that we give the sport the best image as well,†Kagimu remarked.
Kagimu, who was also vice president of United Motorsport Club in the 1990s, promised that his reign would ensure transparency, discipline, integrity and strict adherence to rules of the sport.
Kagimu pointed out there were some cases of indiscipline that went unpunished in the past. He said he was confident his executive was capable of revamping the sport to regain its past glory.
The assembly retained vice presidents Oscar Kihiika (administration) and Kisitu Mayanja (rallying) and Cedric Buzabo (karting). Chris Glaser is vice president in charge of motorcycling after Arthur Blick declined re-election.
Lillian Busingye was voted secretary unopposed with Mukiibi Katende as her assistant. The treasurer will be appointed by the new executive.
The assembly resolved the old executive presents the treasurer’s report within 90 days following the absence of outgoing treasurer Omar Mayanja.
The assembly approved the admission of Eastern, Central, Uganda Motocross, MPU Motorsport and Jinja motor clubs.