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Botswana’s signature off-road spectacle is shifting into high gear once again, with Botswana Motorsport and Cyro Motorsport Group officially activating the 2026 Sarona 1000 Desert Race. Scheduled for 19–21 June 2026, the event promises an expanded and more refined motorsport experience—one that builds on Botswana’s fast-rising reputation as a regional powerhouse in rally-raid racing. Preparations are already underway, with organisers engaging key partners to deliver what is expected to be a spectacular three-day showdown in Botswana’s iconic desert terrain. Building on Cyro Motorsport Group’s successful conclusion to the 2025 Botswana Off Road Racing Championship (BORRC) and the landmark Sarona Kalahari 1000 Desert Race in Jwaneng, the 2026 edition marks the continued evolution of a truly homegrown product. Fully locally owned and managed, the Sarona Desert Race has become a symbol of Botswana’s ability to host world-class motorsport events on its own terms. According to Cyro Motorsport, this achievement echoes themes from President Duma Boko’s recent State of the Nation Address, which highlighted national capacity-building, economic diversification, youth empowerment, and innovation as pillars of Botswana’s future. Organisers say the next instalment will be even “bigger, safer, and more refined,” building on the rapid growth seen since the launch of BORRC in 2024. Botswana Motorsport President Kagiso Modibedi emphasised this vision: “Botswana Motorsport, together with our affiliate clubs and promoters, has been building structured championships that nurture talent. We must develop our youth and provide platforms for Batswana to excel internationally as motorsport champions.” He added that Botswana’s global success story—2024 World Champion Ross Branch—is proof of the nation’s potential: “It cannot end there. We must continue nurturing talent and creating a pipeline of future world champions.” Modibedi also highlighted the strong institutional support behind the sport: “With the Botswana National Sport Commission, the Ministry of Sport and Arts, and our partners, we now have the platforms we need to take Botswana to the world stage.” Reflecting on the watershed year of 2025, he noted that Botswana ended nearly five decades of dependence on the South African National Series to host the desert race. “Today, the product is fully Batswana owned, run, and managed. The success of the 2025 Sarona 1000 Desert Race—strengthened by FIA training and local expertise—shows that Botswana is ready and capable.” Cyro Motorsport says the Sarona 1000 continues to play a significant role in economic upliftment through revenue generation, job creation, youth empowerment, skills development, and SMME participation. It is also a key driver of sports tourism, drawing international competitors, visitors, and media to Botswana—aligning perfectly with SONA’s emphasis on tourism as a catalyst for economic diversification. In 2026, the event will remain a wholly local product, expected to attract regional competitors and spectators while showcasing Botswana’s world-class terrain—widely recognised as some of the best for off-road racing. With the momentum of the 2025 BORRC season, Botswana Motorsport and Cyro Motorsport aim to deliver their strongest event yet. Cyro Motorsport also confirmed that the Sarona 1000 has been approved for the Botswana Tourism Organisation’s 2026 events calendar, setting the stage for a major sporting spectacle supported by the Botswana National Sports Commission, the Ministry of Sport and Arts, and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing with top regional off-road teams to ensure an even more competitive field in 2026. The Sarona 1000 continues to serve as a powerful platform for private-sector involvement in youth development, skills training, and building national talent pathways. Botswana Motorsport is urging companies to play a role in this transformative journey. Sporting tourism, government notes, is one of Botswana’s most promising avenues for unlocking new economic frontiers. While Botswana is globally known for diamonds and beef, its vast and untouched landscape remains an equally valuable resource—perfectly suited for world-class off-road racing. Off-road racing also supports inclusive community development through job creation, SMME involvement, gender-inclusive participation, youth engagement, and increased visibility for rural areas—boosting national tourism appeal. Cyro Motorsport Group CEO Moin Ahmad highlighted the growth achieved to date: “For the past two years, we have worked tirelessly to establish Botswana’s own off-road racing championship. In earlier desert races hosted here, Batswana teams were not permitted to compete until Botswana Motorsport intervened. Now, with our own championship, the sport has grown significantly, with more local competitors joining a recognised national series.” He added that Botswana’s reputation as host of “the best and most challenging off-road race in Southern Africa” continues to attract regional interest. “In 2025, we attracted Century Racing—one of the world’s leading international teams—along with Dakar-acclaimed drivers Mathieu Serradori and Brian Baragwanath, who selected Botswana as their testing ground ahead of Dakar 2026.” Ahmad encouraged motorsport fans to save the dates now: 19–21 June 2026, when the Sarona 1000 returns for another thrilling chapter.