The Herald
Ellina Mhlanga
18 June 2009
Harare — The Government has hailed young motor racing driver Axcil Jefferies for his recent victories in the 2009 Formula BMW Pacific series in Malaysia.
Jefferies (15) did the nation proud when he swept to victory in Round 3 and 5 of the series which were held during the Asian Festival of Speed in Sepeng, Malaysia, on May 30-31.
The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, earlier this week joined the rest of the nation in saluting young Jefferies for lifting the country’s flag high in Malaysia.
In his congratulatory speech at a small function held at the ministry’s offices in Harare on Monday, Coltart said Jefferies’ performance in Malaysia was a big achievement, not only for him but for the nation as a whole.
“We are very proud of your achievements. You have done well by flying the Zimbabwean flag high and I look forward to follow your career and the day you will be racing in (the prestigious) Formula One.
“We will do everything as the ministry and as a nation to support you and I encourage you to maintain the discipline you have showed.”
Coltart also told young Jefferies that he was not only racing for his personal glory but for the nation as well.
The minister also noted that the country had lost a lot of talent in sport, citing soccer as an example, with most of the local players leaving the country in search of greener pastures in neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Mozambique.
“This is a rare talent we need to nurture and see Axcil becoming a Formula One driver… We are going to back him.
“However, we need to seek excellence in all sporting disciplines and support other disciplines and try to keep the talent here in Zimbabwe.”
Coltart said the media has an important role to play in building the profile of sport in Zimbabwe and promoting the athletes.
In response, Jefferies thanked the nation and his local sponsors Pioneer Corporation for supporting him in his promising career.
“I would like to thank the minister for his support and the nation.
“I’m going to keep my feet on the ground and I’m looking forward to racing in the prestigious Formula One for Zimbabwe in the not-too-distant future,” he said.
Asked about the difficulties he is facing and the reception he gets from other competitors, young Jefferies said he still needed more sponsors to support him.
“We are still looking for sponsorship and will be grateful if we can have other sponsors on board,” he said.
“Some people are surprised to see a young motor racing driver coming from Zimbabwe. However, I’m educating and informing the (foreign) journalists about what is happening in Zimbabwe.”
The young driver urged the youth to stay disciplined and dedicated.
Some of the guests at the ceremony included Zimbabwe Motor Sport Federation president Rose Rushforth and Sport and Recreation Commission director-general Charles Nhemachena.