over the sport’s ones. This needs to be
checked as early as now, once the FIA
confirms the next stages in preparation for
the resumption of the Safari Rally in the
WRC raft of events.
There have also been unconfirmed reports
of the behind-the-scene arrangements of
how the Naivasha section of the Rally was
hosted by a property owned by a powerful
political family. While it is not in our
place to question every arrangement made
to ensure the event’s success, hosting and
other related logistics will need to be done
above board to maintain transparency
within the sport.
Corporate Sustenance
The corporate firms in Kenya have been
going through tough times since the last
election in 2017. The economy is still
reeling from the post-election vagaries,
as well as a contracting economy due
to externalities and other unforeseen
challenges.
This though does not mean there is a
shortage of companies that can give the
Safari Rally organizers the necessary
corporate support. If the 2019 Rally is
anything to go by, the support needs to be
sustained and enhanced to ensure closing
any gaps on running the event.
It should also be imperative on the GoK
that the Sports Fund monies be put
into good use, both as an investment in
motorsport, and positioning the country
as a preferred destination for sports
tourism. With certain corporate firms in
the betting and gaming industry being
forced to streamline and some issuing
ultimatums of closure, the sports scene
in Kenya is begging for stability and
sustainability.
We cannot ignore the socio-political
nuisances that are intertwined, ours is to
critically engage the various stakeholders
to ensure a level playing field and enhance
the country’s outlook to a critical local and
global audience.
With the ongoing developments in
infrastructure and hotel development
within the country, the event will provide
great impetus to the economy on account
of forex by visiting manufacturers and their
teams, drivers and co-drivers, technical
support teams as well as the discerning
fans from across the world.
Legacy planning is critical too in providing
a medium and longer-term effect of the
event on involved parties. Motorsport still
enjoys a lot of goodwill from most locals
and this will look to be enhanced from
2020. It may also not be lost on observers
that Kenya still has world-class drivers
who can challenge the top drivers in the
WRC circuit.
To a lesser extent, manufacturers will
also look to showcase their latest motor
vehicle developments, for their models.
It goes without saying that in the 1980s,
90s and early 2000s, car manufacturers
such as Japanese car makers, Toyota and
Subaru were able to leverage on their good
performances to develop car models for
the African terrain.
The 2020 Safari Rally will present a new
slate to prove that Kenya can host a
world-class event. It is a win for both the
corporates and GoK which shows what
can be achieved when working in tandem.
Celebration time over, the real work starts
now!
Richard Wanjohi is a marketing
enthusiast with interest in research
and sports. You can commune with
him on this or related matters via
mail at: RWanjohi@gmail.com or
check his tweets @rwanjohi.
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