02 Apr 2014

With only 55 days to the Gaborone 2014 African Youth Games, Team Botswana Chef De Mission, Tshepo Sitale has announced that Team Botswana preparations have intensified.

A press release from Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) quotes Sitale as saying the team comprising of 20 sport codes, 204 athletes had been participating in various competitions as a measure against other competitors for their preparedness.

He said athletes had taken part in various competitions. Preparations had scaled up with karate, boxing, tennis, athletics, table tennis, netball, judo, swimming and volleyball doing exceptionally well at regional competitions in South Africa, Zambia and Cameroon.

Sitale further stated that part of the athletics team was on camp at Good Hope Senior Secondary School to allow students to train after classes as a way of ensuring synergy in academic and sports performances.

“When staging games of this magnitude, there is no doubt that as microscopic as we may be, the lens is on our team to showcase our talent to its maximum best, and our nation to rally behind the team to ensure holistic participation at the Games as a nation,” says Sitale.

The release quoted BNOC marketing and communications manager, Mpho Motlhabane saying the scale of success for this team was to send a well prepared team as intended and to also bring glory to the nation in the process.

She further said another measure of success would be the legacy of new sports in Botswana and winning over support from new followers for the team.

“We therefore urge Batswana to come to the turf and support our young stars during this immensely challenging yet groundbreaking point in their sporting careers,” she says.

Star athletes to look out for at the Games include, Galefele Moroko of Athletics, Khaya Groth of Karate, Justin Moyo of Volleyball, Brian Makanku of Football; Naomi Ruele of swimming, Keamogetse Kenosi of Boxing, Tara Matija of netball, Gavin Mogopa of Judo and Motshidisi Remathobi of Basketball. ENDS