24 Oct 2024

The 2024 World Rally Raid Champion Ross Branch has been rewarded with P190 000 for his achievement at the just ended championships in Morocco. 

This include P20 000 for his appearances at the championships, P20 000 for qualifying for the World Championship and P150 000 for winning the World Rally Racing Championship. 

Giving praises to Branch when presenting him with the cheque, the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, said Branch had special undisputed talent.

He said his determination had inspired many young athletes across Botswana and beyond, and also in the same way, the Botswana story continued to be an inspiration in the continent and beyond. 

Rakgare said Branch’s story was proof that success was built on consistency, hard work and perseverance. 

“The signs have long been there for all to see. Perhaps what we had not imagined was that he would conquer the world in the fashion he is doing now, positioning himself and Botswana amongst the very best in the world of motorsport,” Rakgare said. 

The minister applauded him, saying his perseverance and resilience had reaped rewards. 

He said Branch was the pride of Botswana and a great ambassador not only for Botswana but for the African continent and added that government remained grateful to him and others who had served the country with diligence. 

Rakgare said government was committed to the development of sport and understood the important role sport played in fostering inclusivity, community engagement and personal growth and profiling Botswana as a country.  

For his part, Branch said he had chased his dream for 34 years, and said realising it was not about winning it. 

“The dream is a lot more in-depth, as for us athletes it is not winning but disappointing our family, fans and the country,” he said. 

Branch said his success came from the support he continued to receive from his family, fans and sponsors. 

He said sponsors made dreams come alive, and they had done that for him since his journey started. 

Also, he said their support makes a huge impact on his career and he extended his appreciation to them. 

“This year’s success is a motivation for 2025 and this has been my best year to date. I want to keep on doing the best I can and getting the best out of myself. There is no retirement in the near future for me,” Branch remarked. 

He said 2024 had been a successful year for Botswana in sport, and applauded other athletes who had been doing well in their various codes. 

The motorbike rider said the success of 2024 was a mindset change, and 'currently as a nation we are going through a mindset change and we look at sport not only as a game but lifestyle'.  

For his part, the Botswana National Sport Council chairperson, Marumo Morule, said motorsport in Botswana was an avenue for growth and development. 

Morule said the sport needed to be nurtured to stimulate growth and tourism. ENDS