12 May 2014

With over 4 000 people expected to descend in Botswana for the African Youth Games billed for May 22, safety and security are among the priorities and hence BAYGOC educating the volunteers about this aspect.

Making a presentation on safe games, BAYGOC education and culture manager, Lind Gutsafsdottir, said safeguarding the dignity of all individuals was a fundamental requirement for African Youth Games.

“The children including everyone should be safe from any kind of cheating, harassment, abuse be sexual or physical”. She asked the volunteers to always be on the alert and react whenever they suspected foul play be it on the field or off field.

She stated that abuse did occur in sport in every country as some athletes paid bribes in order to succeed while others used others in order to do them favours.

Gutsafsdottir stated that in the games, athletes were at a high risk of abuse because they are children however she called on volunteers to be on the lookout and report any irregularities.

She highlighted that any situation that maybe security threat should be reported to relevant people to ensure that Botswana delivers a safe and secure competition.

Childline Botswana representative, Onkemetse Montsheki said there will be welfare stalls at every competition venue to ensure that children are safe.


She advised everyone to be alert during the games and if one is not certain whether it is abuse, they should inform relevant authorities who will deal with the issue accordingly.

“We are dealing with children and it is a big deal because they are a priority and come first before team, country or anything else,” she noted.


Montsheki stated that monitoring people’s behavior maybe a challenge due to different cultures from all the countries whom some of them may treat something as innocent while in another country it is an offence.

Therefore, she called on every stakeholder to pay attention to ensure that the games are free from all kinds of abuse.

Botswana Association of Psychologists representative, Monde Kote said every Motswana is an ambassador of the nation and hence they should exercise good morals.

“These games are not a platform to show personal thoughts about ones looks or stature, let us all stay focused”.

He advised the volunteers to be approachable and display good manners and be conversant about their country.

Confirmed competition venues are national stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies, rugby and football finals. UB stadium will hosts athletics whereas Otse Police College hosts triathlon. The Botswana National Youth Centre will be battle ground for basketball and table tennis.

Botho University multipurpose hall is playground for boxing while Boipuso hall is set for weightlifting and karate. Cycling will take part in Gaborone Roads which include Riverwalk and Gaborone Game Reserve.


Young Golfers will test their mettle at Gaborone Golf Club whereas Gaborone Tennis Centre hosts tennis.
Botswana Netball Association (BONA) Courts hosts netball and Molepolole IHS for Volleyball.

The Games kick off on May 22 to 31 in Gaborone attracting 2500 youth aged between 14- 18 across the 54 African countries participating in 21 sporting codes. ENDS