FIA President Todt Extols Zambia For VIP Welcome
By Ignatius Mazeko
INTERNATIONAL Automobile Federation (FIA) president, Jean Todt has said his association is working towards improving the standards of motorsport in member countries like Zambia.
Todt, who arrived in Lusaka on Tuesday night for an official visit, said at a press briefing today at InterContinental Hotel that the FIA was aware of the financial difficulties faced by member countries to effectively run motorsport.
The former Ferrari Formula One team chief executive officer said despite the hardships faced by FIA affiliates; he was pleased to learn that the Zambia Motor Sport Association was playing an active role in various areas like the campaign for road safety.
It is against this background that he gave the Zambia Motor Sport Association (ZMSA) and Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) certificates of appreciation for the two body’s contribution towards road safety.
He said FIA was supporting millions of motorsport disciplines around the globe adding that as a former driver for Peugeot Rally Team, he was preview to the state of road infrastructure in Africa.
Speaking at the same function, Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development director of sport, Bernard Nakacinda said government was happy that Todt decided to visit Zambia.
Nakacinda requested Todt to see how best FIA can address the challenges faced by the ZMSA which he, however, described as one of the most vibrant, accountable and transparent sports association in Zambia.
ZMSA president, Marco Comana said Todt is a special person because of his achievements as a chief executive at Ferrari and the 15-year-old illustrious career during his hey days as a driver in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).
“When you put your profession into your passion then your passion grows,” Comana said.
RTSA deputy director, Martin Mbangu said his agency was enjoying a very good working relationship with the ZMSA in motor rally.
In a vote of thanks to Todt, former ZMSA president, Aaron Chungu said the FIA president’s visit to Zambia is a very important occasion for motorsport in the country.
Among the notables who attend the briefing was National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) board members Ian Mbewe, Mwamba Kalenga, officials from Amerex Fire Services, Madison Insurance Company Zambia, Pilatus Engineering, RTSA and Toyota Zambia.
Todt left later in the day for Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania aboard a Zambezi Airlines plane after visiting the Lusaka Motor Club (LMC) in the Showgrounds where rally drivers Ashish Patel, Imran Ticklay and Mohammed Essa treated him to an exhibition racing.
He was given a VIP four-car escort that included two RTSA motorcade cars from InterContinental to Lusaka International Airport via LMC aboard a Pilatus Engineering BMW 735 Li spotting plates JEAN TODT at the rear and FIA 2011 in front.
InterContinental management accommodated Todt in a Presidential suite and accorded him all the facilities that go with dignitaries of his status. (c)ZMSA
