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Tebogo sprints to Botswana’s maiden Gold

Following a long spell off season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tebogo Letsile proved his mettle to win Botswana’s first ever Gold medal at an international event with a time of 10.19 seconds, which was closer to the African Youth record that was set two decades ago by former Nigerian sprinter Davidson Ezinwa who clocked 10.05 aged 18 years in 1990.

Letsile or “Schoolboy” as he is affectionally known around athletics circles beat South Africa’s Benjamin Richardson who clocked 10.28 while Cuban Shainer Rengifo finished with a time of 10.32 sec.
The 18 year old sprinter turned heads at the on-going youth athletics competitions in Nairobi, Kenya after demonstrating an authentic performance in the 100m heat races and semi-finals.

He subsequently qualified for finals with a time of 10:11s, the first for Botswana, making him, technically the fastest athlete to ever emerge from Botswana. For the record, just like Jamaican all-time Olympic champion, American sprinters Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin, Tebogo can be a shining example at the Olympics should he be given the chance to spread his wings further.

The gold medalist, who is a student at Gaborone Senior Secondary School (GSS), exhibited a sterling performance, two weeks after the 4X400m men’s relay team took the country to Cloud 9 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan. The team led by Isaac Makwala bagged a bronze medal, the first for Botswana in relay competitions, second after Nijel Amos silver at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Lanky sprinter is already lighted up the local track athletics scene with some astonishing performance that have set tongues wagging. Though he is not yet a complete package, so enchanting has been his performances that locals have found it difficult not to compare him to sprint great Usain Bolt.

Before sealing the 100 meter gold medal, Tebogo who is set to become the country’s short distance star – dominated his races at the youth championships after clocking the fastest time in the semi-final to cruise easily to the finals after setting the new national record of 10.11 in the men’s 100m semifinal.

Before the semi-finals he had run 10.22s during the 100m heat on the day. He brought the spark in the 100m sprint events in Botswana, as he has been dominating charts in localized athletics competitions. Without doubt, this power gave him the much needed poise for the games. In an interview with media, the poised athlete said he has always been eyeing for a gold medal, validated by solemnity in training ahead of this youth meet.

“I approached the heats with a decent mentality that we here for one common goal: to bring a medal home. This is something that helped me to effortlessly snatch the gold medal which is the first for the country. My instincts told me that I will wear gold.”

Even though it drizzled earlier and hence the disruption in the competition’s schedule, for Tebogo this was not much of a big deal. He shifted attention to warm ups and at the time of the race, the body was still warm and fit to lead the rest of his rivals. Tebogo has already left a mark as his auspicious performance was hard to ignore, not by international sport enthusiasts.

Prior to the winning the country’s first ever World Athletics Under 20 Championships gold medal, his semifinal performance didn’t go overlooked as the commentator led in saying ‘this Botswana runner reminds me so much of Usain Bolt, quite a rare gem that Botswana has. To a certain extent, this if factual.

Kanye native sprinter went to the World under 20 championship with a personal best and national record of 10.14 sec after smashing Isaac Makwala’s 10.20 sec in February this year, an event which granted him qualification to the World under 20 Championships.

Tebogo’s new mark of 10.14 was also a regional record, which means he will pocked P10, 000 cash for the feat from Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC). The athletes’ incentive policy of 2012 states that only athletes who break regional and international records will get cash rewards.

The young lad also proved his mettle under the 200m during the 2019 Botswana games when produced a sterling performance after he also broke Baboloki Thebe’s 200m national record of 21:25 sec, eventually winning the gold medal after recording an impressive time of 21.12 seconds which also book his plane ticket to Nairobi, Kenya.

Sport

BFA slow-stepping efforts in Wilson’s quest for citizenship?

18th March 2024

A quarter of a year ago, Zebras’ strategist, Didier Gomes Da Rosa, took a decisive step by enlisting midfielder Brandon Wilson, who flexes his soccer prowess at Ha Noi Football Club (FC) in Vietnam.

Yet, the 27-year-old sensation found himself benched before the game even started, due to his Australian nationality, despite his roots firmly planted in Gaborone, Botswana.

Fast forward to today, and Wilson’s name is still missing from the latest Zebras’ lineup for the forthcoming four-nation friendly extravaganza set to unfold in Madagascar.

Pundits from the local football arena argue that this tournament, starring The Zebras alongside Madagascar, Rwanda, and Burundi as hosts, presented a golden ticket for Wilson to unveil his skills, merge his playstyle with his teammates, and pass down his seasoned insights to the squad.

Looking ahead, The Zebras face a rugged path in their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Group, battling titans like Algeria, Somalia, Guinea, and Uganda—teams studded with Europe-based talents. Integrating Wilson into the team now would be nothing short of strategic.

Amidst this saga, a ray of hope shined through a High Court ruling, suggesting the Botswana government’s nod towards dual citizenship, potentially giving the BFA the nudge it needed to expedite Wilson’s case.

Yet, as 2023 unfurls, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Anna Mokgethi, hinted at a six-month timeline to legislating this change. “We’re laying down the legal and procedural groundwork to enable dual citizenship. This process will span at least six months.

This waiting game could be pegged to aligning with the court of appeal’s decision.

“This buffer is designed to ensure a seamless transition, enabling talents like Wilson to clinch their Botswana passports and don the Zebras jersey,”

On the V.League 1 Table (Vietnam) – 2023/24 front, Wilson’s squad, Ha Noi FC, is holding sixth place after 13 showdowns, boasting 19 points—a commendable feat for their freshman year in Vietnam’s Elite League.

Since his leap to Ha Noi FC on September 5, 2023, Wilson has left his mark on 15 matches across domestic and AFC Champions League arenas, an impressive feat for his inaugural season.

In a recent WeekendSport dialogue, Da Rosa sung praises of Wilson’s gameplay. “Wilson’s mastery of the field, his spatial awareness, and ball reception, earmark him as a midfield marvel. His strategic positioning is a lesson in discipline, a skill set our team can greatly benefit from.

“He’s a crucial cog in our quest toward the 2026 World Cup dream,” Da Rosa said.

 

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Sport

Kemoeng’s departure opens doors for School sports – BOSETU

18th March 2024

The departure of Kitso Kemoeng from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture has been met with a sigh of relief by many, particularly by the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU). Kemoeng’s tenure as Permanent Secretary was marked by a lack of progress and engagement on the issue of reinstating school sports, which has been a crucial aspect of child development in Botswana.

BOSETU had accused Kemoeng of being a stumbling block to the resuscitation of school sports, citing his arrogant and anti-engagement attitude towards the issue. His transfer to the Botswana Public Service College has been seen as a positive development by the union, as it signals a clear message that non-delivery and lack of vision will not be tolerated within the government.

The union has expressed confidence in the new Permanent Secretary, Bright John, who is expected to bring a fresh perspective and understanding of the importance of sports and culture in the holistic development of children. The absence of school sports in Botswana has had a detrimental impact on the youth and the development of sports in the country, and it is imperative that immediate action is taken to reinstate these programs.

According to BOSETU the departure of Kemoeng from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture is a step in the right direction towards reviving school sports in Botswana. The union and other stakeholders are hopeful that under the leadership of Bright John, progress will be made in ensuring the well-being and development of the youth through sports. It is time to breathe a sign of relief and look forward to a brighter future for school sports in Botswana.

 

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Will Makhwengwe’s exit halt Tafic’s remarkable streak?

24th February 2024

The abrupt severance of ties between Tafic Football Club and its erstwhile commander-in-chief, Philemon Makhwengwe, colloquially celebrated as the “Spin Doctor”, has sent ripples through the football aficionado community, given his laudable stewardship in the 2023/24 Botswana Premier League (BPL) crusade. The narrative of Matjimenyenga, as Tafic is affectionately dubbed, narrates a saga of resilience, having faced the ignominy of relegation to the Debswana First Division North on two occasions prior.

The chronicle of their fall from grace in 2018, settling at a dismal 14th place with a record marred by more losses than victories, delineates a club in dire need of strategic revival. Fast-forward to the present campaign, and the transformation under Makhwengwe’s aegis has been nothing short of remarkable. At the cessation of 16 rounds, Tafic perched at the fifth position with 24 points is a testament to an emboldened renaissance.

However, the plot thickened on the 20th of February, 2024, as Tafic pronounced the departure of Makhwengwe from his coaching pedestal via a Facebook communiqué, a move that bewildered the football-watching public. Discrepancies surfaced, with reports attributing his departure to discord with the club’s upper echelons over proposed adjustments within the technical team, painting a picture of internal discord.

Makhwengwe, a tactician revered for his prowess in architecting footballing triumphs, has been instrumental in Tafic’s ascent from the quagmire of league standings to a commendable sixth position. This leaves the footballing realm in suspense over Tafic’s trajectory post-Makhwengwe, especially after their recent conquest over Gaborone United, thrusting them into a formidable league position.

Amidst this backdrop of controversy, where Makhwengwe’s own assertions conflict with the official narrative – oscillating between resignation and dismissal – the saga unfolds with layers of intrigue. The spectacle calls into question the capacity of Tafic to sustain their impressive run. The precedence set by Cote D’Ivoire’s astonishing turnaround at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a managerial upheaval offers a glimmer of unpredictability inherent in football, though juxtaposing club football dynamics with international fixtures holds its own set of complexities.

As Tafic grapples with the loss of one of Botswana’s most esteemed coaching figures, the overarching question looms: How will this episode influence their fortunes as the season wades into its critical junctures? With the BPL already witnessing a carousel of coaching departures, Tafic’s saga adds a compelling chapter to the unfolding narrative of a league characterized by flux and fervor. The departure of Makhwengwe not only marks a pivotal moment for Tafic but underscores the perennial dance between stability and upheaval in the quest for footballing glory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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