Sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi has said that government is committed to increasing the funding for all teams in order to ably complete internationally.

He made the pledge during the flag-off of the national motocross team for the FIM Africa Motocross Championship in Zambia with government paying Shs10m.

“We may not be giving enough money now but we are getting there,” Hon. Bakkabulindi said at the media event at the Lugogo Sports Complex.

The bulk of the 23 riders came to Lugogo for the send-off. Most of them are young which greatly pleased the minister.

13031. best thing is to give exposure to the young ones. It’s also very good that the parents are involved. If you want to motivate sportsperson, it starts with the parent,” Bakkabulindi added.

Last year, the team got Sh3m from National Council of Sports (NCS) and finished an impressive fifth, a position the team captain Maxime Van Pee.

“This is the biggest contingent we have taken to the games and our aim is to get a podium finish,” Van Pee promised.

Several parents, led by Lira Municipality Member of Parliament Hon. Jimmy Akena, attended the briefing.

Akena, whose sons will compete in the Zambian capital Lusaka, was pleased to note that government has scrapped all taxes on motocross bikes.

The NCS chairman Mr John Bosco Onyik and the assistant general secretary (technical) Mr David Katende also attended the function.