31 Aug 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has commended athletes, who have been representing the country in different international competitions.

Speaking at a luncheon he hosted for the athletes at the State House on August 31,  President Khama said the event was organised to let the athletes know the country was always behind them.

President Khama said it was exciting when he was watching the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games to see Nijel Amos coming from behind to beat Kenyan David Rudisha.

“During the Commonwealth Games there was a lot of hype about Rudisha from the international media, but Nijel Amos came out from the box that they had sandwiched him in and overtook them. It was not a last minute thing, it was a very convincing win where he had all the strength to make that sprint and win gold,” he said.

President Khama further said it was not the first time Batswana athletes and teams made the country proud, adding that he admired and appreciated their commitment.

He said government's duty was to give athletes the opportunity, adding that the constituency tournament idea was to dig down and unearth the talent that was there amongst the young people, expose it and allow them go on with it with the government support and flourish in the international stage.

“For those of you who are taking these opportunities seriously, I say well done and keep it up,” he said. Earlier on, the acting Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Vincent Seretse had told the athletes that the President supported sport.

He said the President took sport seriously and he made it his habit to ensure that as the athletes went to battle in different countries, when the time and opportunity allowed, he would invite them to the State House for a send off.

Amos won the Diamond league race on August 28. He is also the Commonwealth 800 metres champion and the African Championship Champion, while Karabo Sibanda and Baboloki Thebe won Botswana silver medals at the Youth Olympics that were held in Nanjing, China recently. ends