. Essa

By SANDRA MWILA –
THE Zambia Motor Sport Association (ZMSA) is in a race against time to raise K100,000 for Mohammed Essa to enable him take part in the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) final round that revs off on Friday in Madagascar.
ZMSA vice-president, Sam Ching’ambu called on the corporate world to help the association raise the amount for Essa to pay some rally fees before the event gets underway on Friday.
Ching’ambu while Essa would be allowed to take part in the rally, the former African champion needs to pay some fees and to enable him transport the car back to Zambia as well as buying air tickets.
“We are scouting for K100,000 and hope the corporate world will come in and help us though we have gotten some assurance from the Sports Council of Zambia who have promised to help out but have not disclosed how much,” he said.
Essa left for Madagascar at the weekend where he needs to win the rally and hope ARC leader Gary Chaynes of Ivory Coast tumbles to enable him defend the title won by Jassy Singh last year.
Chaynes leads the chart with 101 while Essa is in second place with 93 points ahead of the rally that starts on Friday and ends November 9.
Ching’ambu said the association was heavily banking on the Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) who are working with the Ministry of Sport to raise money which would be transferred to Essa to enable him to compete in the rally.
“The tricky part is that Essa is already in Madagascar in readiness of the rally and it will be a challenge if money is not sent before the rally revs off on Friday. It is important for Essa to compete and win the rally to honour President Michael Sata,” he said.
Ching’ambu said there was need to help raise the money so that the association does not remain in debt and also for Essa to come back with the car.