No festive for athletes
Sport
Local sports associations have in the wake of Botswana National Olympic Committee’s (BNOC) target of eight medals from the Commonwealth Games next year been forced to reorganize their seasons and plans. All codes are set to start rehearsals instantly to meet the committee’s resolve.
Botswana has won twelve medals at the Commonwealth Games since 1974, with six of those in boxing. Although this country has always participated at the games, the athletes had never brought back four medals from the games until 2010. It was in that same year that Amantle Montsho returned with a gold medal. The graph declined in 2014 despite optimism, particularly after Nijel Amos’ medal (gold) became the only offer on the taking.
As part of the plan to be prepared to bring back the 8 medals, athletes will not go on break this festive. The break, it is said, is one of the contributing factors for ‘reversibility’ in athletes. “We will assess the situation and only give them a day or two to see their families then come back for training,” BAA VP Technical Kenneth Kikwe said. A source close to BNOC offices has also revealed that the idea to not give the athletes a break during the festive will however depend on financial assistance from government.
“The plan is to take the athletes to a place of higher altitude similar to the Gold Coast, and Durban appears to be the potential venue. The team will train there this festive, if things go accordingly and they will get some rest in January before continuing with the preparations,” said a source.
When asked to comment on the allegations, BNOC CEO Tuelo Serufho said: “We are discussing that with sports codes and yes in some cases athletes won’t be breaking for Christmas. It has happened in the past but codes will advise accordingly on that one.”
From athletics, Montsho, Amos, Isaac Makwala, Baboloki Thebe, and Karabo Sibanda are some of the faces expected to restore the pride of this nation.
“We are drafting the plan and the expectation is to start preparation early, maybe with the first event by the end of November or beginning of December. We want our athletes to reach their peak as early as March so we stand a better chance of notching medals at the Commonwealth games next year,” Kikwe said. BNOC believes that Botswana has potential to do more than it has in the past. “It is a realistic dream, we have been doing well since 2010 where we produced world class athletes and we are optimistic because even the competition is not as intense as the Olympics,” Serufho said.
While various sporting disciplines are still busy with the qualifications, athletics and boxing are expected to be Botswana’s flag bearers at Gold Coast. Athletics codes have already started preparations for the games slated for April next year. According to Serufho a number of plans are in place to ensure that the target is reached. “We are in constant learning and we are introducing methods that will help us realize the dream. We want top athletes to stay in one area so they can enjoy amenities like dieticians, psychologists etc. which will help their performance at the competitions. Further we are taking athletes for physical tests to Pretoria’s High Performance Centre.”
However, the BNOC is still hoping for financial relief from the government to see through most of their plans. The funds, if received will help all codes prepare for the upcoming games which will start from April 4 through April 15 2018. It is not clear exactly how much would be needed from government coffers, but sources say funds needed run in the millions (BWP) for the preparations.
Sport
Orange injects P350 000 into Phikwe marathon
Mobile network Orange Botswana is committed to supporting the development of local sport. Through its sponsorship, the company will be able to promote and market the sport. According to Maano Masisi, the company believes that sport can unite people from different backgrounds.
He stated that through the sponsorship of the marathon, the company will help promote healthy lifestyles and unity among the people of Selebi Phikwe.
The Selebi Phikwe Marathon is scheduled to take place on July 29, 2023. It is expected that it will attract international, regional, and social runners. A total of P216 000 has been allocated for the prize money for the first ten places in the 42.2 km race. For the 15km and 10km races, the LOC will give away prizes to the first five places.
Sport
Big Guns for Botswana Grand Prix
The National Stadium will be lit up with fireworks on April 29, 2023, as some of the best international athletes will participate in the maiden Botswana Grand prix.
This content is locked
Login To Unlock The Content!
Sport
AFRICA’S RECOVERY: Sports as game changer
The year 2022 witnessed unprecedented phenomena. Several Africans- Gotytom Gebreslase, Sharon Lokedi, Victor Kiplangat, Tamarit Tola and many others- swept the World’s marathons records.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting control measures implemented in several countries, led to many high-level sports competitions being cancelled or shelved, the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games was moved to 2026.
Founder and Executive Chairman, African Sports and Creative Institute, Will Mabiakop, says the inability to hold traditional and amateur sports events have had a serious effect on public health overall, including mental health, sparking a revolution whereby athletes began to talk more openly about stress, mental overload and performance anxiety.
“Africa is home to the fastest growing economies before the crisis, no longer on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). COVID-19 deepened interdependence between SDGs, making them harder to achieve, especially SDG 10 (reducing inequality) and SDG 5 (gender equality_ as the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on poorer countries, and heavier burdens (such as care work) fell to women.”
Mabiakop stresses that as policymakers contemplate actions to speed up recovery and build resilience, they must argue that sports and creative businesses should play a central feature in this effort.
“The sports economy worldwide is estimated at 5% of GDP, but only 0.5% in Africa. If exploited, Africa’s sports and creative industries can offer policymakers innovative solutions. Especially, as regards job creation, and providing employment to the 15 million people entering the job market annually.”
HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY DO THIS?
By leveraging the two-for-one concept: past studies shown that a 1% growth in the economy delivers a 2% job increment in this sector (these ratios are calculated using data from 48 African countries and adjusted to the reality of the sports economy in Africa by the authors). There are between 30 and 50 job types, in sports and creative industries, respectively. These jobs do not fade away with the first major shock.
Mabiakop indicated that policymakers can use these industries to tackle multiple crises- jobs, poverty, and climate risks. Sports diplomacy- defined as communication, representation and negotiation in or through the prism of sports- has proven effective in building inclusive and cohesive societies. Moreover, sports and the creative industry can support better mental health and well-being, both important for productivity.
“Policymakers can also be true to the game by leveraging culture and tradition to celebrate identity and reap commercial value in sports, textiles and jewelry. Creative sectors allow deeper connection with culture, are not easily copied and provide great economic potential.”
He said supporting grassroots sports has powerful distributional effects. “Fortunately, technology has made reaching wide audiences easier, generating higher rates of success when talent is discovered.”
However, Mabiakop held that potential pitfalls must be highlighted. “First avoid build it and they will come policies with infrastructures denuded from the rest of the ecosystem. Like the many sports stadiums left largely unused.”
“Policymakers must remain mindful of how these sectors move the needle in human capital development. Also, align the requisite public policies needed for progress from grassroots participation to professional sports, and even to international sporting events. They should also support investment instruments to render these sectors performant.”