STORY: 2024 WRC Safari Rally Kenya kicks off
SHOOTING TIME: March 28, 2024
DATELINE: March 29, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:29
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the flagging-off ceremony of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya
2. SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President
3. various of the ceremony

STORYLINE:

The World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya was flagged off in Nairobi on Thursday by Kenyan President William Ruto.

The Safari is Africa's round of the WRC and is the third leg of the global championship this season.

SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President
"This iconic showpiece has quickly risen to its full potential as a present and future global elite sporting event. In particular, the return of the Safari Rally in Kenya in 2019 after nearly two decades reminds us of a special Easter message of the possibility of radical revival for our fortunes, the spectacular return of Kenya to the global motorsports stage, and the gift of the opportunity to showcase to the world the unique scenic beauty and tourist diversity of Kenya."

Local fans will have plenty to cheer for, with former national champions Carl "Flash" Tundo and Karan Patel leading the eight-man charge alongside a spirited contingent of local talent who aim to make their mark on the global stage.
   
They will be joined by Mitsubishi Evolution X trio of Nikhil Sachania, Andrew Muiruri and Minesh Rathod to Skoda Fabia Evo and Aakif Virani in a Skoda Fabia and Hamza Anwar of the Ford Fiesta Rally 3 marques.
   
Alongside them will be Kenya National Rally leader Samaan Singh Vohra who will tackle the event behind the wheel of a Skoda Fabia Evo navigated by Alfir Khan.

This week's Safari Rally will conclude on Sunday.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)