By Ndinawe Simpelwe –
MUNA Singh Junior is confident of defending the Zambia Motor Sports Association (ZMSA) national rally title despite anticipating stiffer competition this year.
In an interview after being officially crowned rally champion at an awards’ gala at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Muna Junior said he will be under pressure to defend the title from the veterans including his father Muna Senior.
He expressed excitement at winning the title as a teenager but that he still had a lot to learn in the sport before going out on the continent.
“Pressure is always there, defending the title is one of the main things a champion would want to do. I’m going into it this year trying to defend the title. It is going to be hard, there will be more competition but I think I will manage with the new car we acquired last year,” said Muna.
He named Mohammed Essa, Miles Monje, Farook Ticklay, his father (Muna) and brother Jassy as his main rivals for the title this year.
Muna Senior has already beaten him to the first race of the season and looks set to push his son to the limit for the title.
Meanwhile Jassy expressed happiness that his younger brother had come out of the shell and was giving all drivers a run for their money.
Jassy said he had been encouraging his younger brother to take up the challenge and was happy with the national title he won last year.
Despite Muna Junior’s achievement, it was Jassy who was voted ZMSA sportsman-of-the-year retaining it for the second year running together with motor cross rider David Reeve.
“It’s really an honour and pleasure to defend the sportsman-of-the-year, it shows that we are doing something right and going in the right areas by helping to develop and sustain the sport. In that sense I mean encouraging the young guys and the youth,” said Jassy.
He admitted Muna Junior had picked up the pace and beat him fair and square but he should watch out this year.