Nare appointed under 23 Coach
Sport
Extension Gunners pragmatic coach Daniel ‘Chicco-Dance’ Nare has been appointed as head coach of the national Under-23 team, a move that will also see him becoming assistant to Zebras coach, Peter Butler.
WeekendSport has learnt that the technical committee of the local motherbody assembled over the weekend to map the changes and albeit the football association stance to dismiss the report, an announcement is expected to be made soon. Nare’s appointment is however not going to affect the role and the portfolio of Oris Radipotsane-the current Zebras assistant coach. Oris who was not appointed, but handpicked to fill the gap left by controversial Pio Paul when expelled, is expected to work hand in hand with Nare for the betterment of the game.
‘‘ For the record, the BFA has not appointed any new member or members to any technical team of its various national teams, let alone the Men’s senior national team. Such appointment(s),if done, will follow the normal internal processes before it/they is/ are made public,’’ reads part of BFA’s press release.
While the under 23 team’s activities will not be under-way this year, Nare is expected to be hands on with the Zebras team. However, storm clouds threaten to gather over the Zebras technical where Butler has immediately voiced his disappointment over the impending move.
Typical of his character, he ranted on tweeter dismissing the authority of the association. ‘‘I am super proud with of my technical team Digger Jeez (Oris) is a good guy I will never allow anyone to change my team,’’ he posted after his arrival from his native country.
His behavior which has become a subject of fierce debate for over some time now, left the association reeling with shock. Although influential players would not boldly accept it, the intention behind scenes is to reprimand Butler for street wise behavior particularly that he acted without first consulting his superiors.
Nare, whose phone rang continuously without answer at the time of going to print, will be assisted by George Mogopodi at Under-23. While the Association is still lip-tight with regards to the announcement, this publication is reliably informed that Nare, as it stands, has the appointment letter and his team, Extension Gunners has been informed also.
The technical committee is said, believes Nare is the kind and mould of a coach that the association brutally aspires both at junior and senior levels.
A key factor in the thinking capacity of the technical committee of whether to face public or even media back lash is anticipated to play a pivotal role the day an announcement comes. But in whatever way, the local football body is ready and prepared for hostile response from some quarters.
Certainly, however, Chico fits the mould better of what the BFA would want from the assistant coach and will easily accept a new significant involvement at Lekidi Football Centre. He is also highly-regarded within the local game- a kind of high-profile appointment that was expected.
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.
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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.”