The Dakar rally begins in Portugal today under the watchful eye of the world's media with security and safety issues dominating the build-up.
Last year's race was overshadowed by three tragic deaths in the controversial race that is much criticized for the reckless manner racers charge through unchartered terrain in northwest Africa.
A year ago Australian motorbike rider Andy Caldecott died of neck injuries after a crash, the same injury that cost Italian rider Fabrizio Meoni his life a year previously.
PHOTO: AFP
But perhaps more shocking were the deaths of a 10-year-old Guinean boy and a 14-year-old Senegalese boy in the last edition.
Such accidents are not uncommon in the Dakar Rally, in which 47 people have died since its inception in 1979. One of the worst years was 1988 where six people died, although until last year's event no local children had perished since 1996.
But despite the inherent safety risks, leading figures such as Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade are determined to continue the tradition.
He said during last year's race: "It isn't necessary to stop Dakar because there's been an accident. The race is a very good thing."
"Here is a sport born in Africa and which has taken place for 28 years. As we speak the entire world is following this race. It's very important," he said. "But in the future we have to make sure as much as we can that there are no further deaths."
While this year's race will not pass through Guinea, that has nothing to do with the death of the young boy last year, according to race director Etienne Lavigne.
He said: "The Guineans regret we are not going there. The decision was not down to security problems but because of scheduling difficulties and our desire to have more time on desert terrain."
Security has become a major issue this year. with an Algerian militant Islamic group forcing the race to change course.
Stages 10 and 11, which were due to run from Nema in Mauritania to Timbuktu in Mali, and then back again, have been altered over fears the Algerian Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) are active on the border between the two countires.
A Mali security source said: "Friendly foreign services had indicated that in the last few weeks there has been a movement of dozens of salafists between the Mali and Mauritania frontiers, not far from the area where the race was due to pass."
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
A soccer jersey carrying a national map including disputed Western Sahara has become a hot commodity in Morocco after a diplomatic dispute with Algeria. Retailers said RS Berkane jerseys have been flying off the shelves after a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup match against Algerian club USM Alger was canceled last month over the jerseys. “We are overwhelmed by the influx of messages and requests,” said Brahim Rabii, representative of the official RS Berkane jersey distributor. Algeria broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021, partly over the issue of Western Sahara. The former Spanish colony is largely controlled by Morocco, but claimed
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just