Sharifah Kateete tries out the Festino Track. PHOTO: Johnson Were

Female motocross riders have vowed to challenge their male opponents in the Mountain Dew National Motocross Championship that begins on Sunday at the Victoria Race Track Garuga.

Riders Drate Leticia (Pee Wee), Isabella Blick, Kawthara Balinda (50cc), Esther Mwangala, Aminah Zawedde, Alexia Van Pee (65cc) and Sharifah Kateete (125cc), will be out to challenge the boys in their respective classes.

Isabella Blick, the 50cc defending champion is confident she can still defend her title but will get stiff competition from Alon Orland, Malcom Omoding, Gift Ssebuguzi and Marcus Bukenya who finished second, third and fourth respectively.

 Riders at the start gate during last years season

"We have not practised too much, because of my absence in the country. However, we are targeting not only a win on Sunday but also to defend out title," Isabella's manager William Blick Snr stated.

Isabella is also considering going for the FIM Central Africa (FIM CAC) championship trophy.

In the MX125cc class, Sharifah Kateete has cautioned her male opponents Yasin Kasirye, Paddy Blick, Stephane Okenge and Raheem Constantinious not to underestimate her.