18 May 2014

The President, Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has offered Team Botswana words of encouragement ahead of the second Africa Youth Games that commence in Gaborone on May 22..

The competition, dubbed Gaborone 2014, would have about 54 African countries competing in 21 different sporting codes. And, in a bid to encourage the young athletes, the President invited the team and its officials to a luncheon at State House on Sunday, May 18.

"I invited you to the State House because I wanted to encourage you as you go into the second youth games. I want to congratulate you for having been selected to represent our country. This on itself is already a major achievement," said President Khama.

He told them that it was a huge responsibility to wear national colours and represent the nation, adding that the team, which included budding talents such as Naomi Ruele of swimming and Galefele Moroko of athletics, was capable of doing well at the competition.

"I believe you have set yourself a target of acquiring at least 30 medals and we encourage you to achieve that. You should use the home ground to your benefit because you will get maximum support from the nation," said the President, who also advised the athletes to represent the nation with humility.

Present at the occasion was the acting Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Shaw Kgathi as well as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Ms Ruth Maphorisa.

Team Botswana's head of delegation, Mr Tshepo Sitale thanked President Khama for his support. "We want to thank you for having invited us here and I wish to assure you that we shall be good ambassadors. Not only that, we shall also bring glory to our country," said Mr Sitale. He emphasised that the team was going out with the understanding that it must strive to make the nation proud.

"We understand that it is a competition between athletes and teams and we want to assure you that we shall strive to do well. We feel motivated by being here," said Mr Sitale, who gave the President a framed and signed blue, black and white Team Botswana shirt on behalf of the contingent. ENDS