The challenges to sport caused by the covid 19 pandemic has led to motor sports enthusiasts organizing an e-rally to keep their sport alive and find alternative ways to continue living their lives in the new normal.
In a statement made available to Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Zambia Motor Sports Association (ZMSA) president Sam Chingambu has disclosed that Zambia has participated in the 16 July, e-SAFARI RALLY.
And one of contestant from Zambia Muaaz Essa managed to come 23rd in a race that had participants from all over the world.
“Literally the whole world had entered the competition and we have two participants in the competition. The country that is organizing is Kenya since the safari is cancelled, they have decided to go E- racing”
In addition, Chingambu says that the two Zambian participants had been training and are ready to compete in this race.
These are the two who feel they are ready and can participate at that level according to the schedule that is given and hopefully win. That Championship”, he said. It means an individual has participated in digital or PlayStation”, he said.
Furthermore, he said e-racing is similar to playing a video game or a simulator that is used to train pilots. Using a unique software, one can race using a PlayStation, Xbox or PC.
You can participate in a PlayStation just like a normal video game, there are those who have got that platform.
However, he stressed that these kind of PlayStations are very expensive and they are in talks with Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), to assist them land more machines at better price points for motor sports enthusiasts.
“The two participants don’t have their own PlayStation because the PlayStation is quite expensive as well. And this is where we are now trying to see if FRA can help us because e need to buy these PlayStations”, he said.
Chingambu says that FIA is assisting the association in funding, finding of equipment or acquiring this required software. He further reiterated that this will be a serious venture and they are not doing it for fun.
“The first thing is to try and see how we can set it up locally amongst ourselves, covering all the 10 provinces or start with regions that can work. If it can, then yes, there are other platforms where now you can compete with other countries to make it more exciting and challenging”.
“In terms of funding, FIA has also come on board. They are trying to see how best they can help us acquire this equipment and software to make sure that we are competitive and registered under FIA. It’s not something that we are going to do for fun it has to be competitive”, he said.
