30 Aug 2015

Former Commonwealth deputy secretary general, Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba says youth games are a platform to create awareness on the diversity of the Commonwealth family.

Speaking at the fifth Samoa Commonwealth Games, Team Botswana send-off ceremony recently, Masire-Mwamba said about 1 000 young people aged 14-18years from the Commonwealth nations will compete for 107 gold medals in nine sports codes for over five days.

She said in coming together, young people will get a taste of this family, they foster and nurture relationships, share their diverse cultures, while at the same time learning the core values of humanity, equality and destiny.

The Youth Games, she said are a peaceful celebration of the Commonwealth youth in action and they provide an excellent opportunity for aspiring young athletes from the Commonwealth to experience what the Commonwealth Games has in store for them in future.

Masire-Mwamba further said athletes’ participation at the games gives the nation hope, saying, “we look upon them to join the ranks of Isaac Makwala, Nijel Amos, Kabelo Kgosiemang and Amantle Montsho and raise the blue, black and white colours with pride.”

During the games, she said, nations are united in excitement and euphoria on display, rallying behind athletes from their own countries and cheering their favourite athletes from other countries as well. Sport, she said, is a universal language that binds the citizens of the world, adding Youth Games have become a catalyst for investment in the promotion of the youth agenda and uniting the Commonwealth through sport.

Furthermore, she said the Commonwealth is made up of 53 member countries, with a combined population of more than 2 billion with an equal voice in decision-making on issues that affect them.

Recognising the diversity of its members, she said the Youth Games affords small nations such as Botswana the apportunityto host major sporting games to promote the youth agenda, adding Samoa the host of the 5^th edition has a population of 250,100 (2001), and following the successful hosting of the Africa Youth Games, Botswana has expressed interest to bid for the 2021 Youth Commonwealth Games.

She said Botswana has been participating in the Commonwealth Games Youth Games since 2008 making maiden appearance at Pune where the team received two medals; one silver for athletics by Daniel Lagamang in 800m and one Bronze for boxing by Lentswe Zwinila in welterweight.

 She said in 2011 at the Isle of Man, the team received a total of two bronze medals by Nigel Amos in 800m and Botshelo Robby in welterweight.

“As you go out, know that you have been selected amongst the best to compete with the best from the Commonwealth countries.  

Stay away from the use of performance enhancing drugs as they can destroy your athletic careers and tarnish the good name of Botswana,” she said.

Masire-Mwamba further said it is incumbent upon all to ensure that athletes are aware of the current anti-doping rules and all stake holders should all work together to assist athletes to know their responsibilities concerning anti-doping and provide as much assistance as possible.

Botswana, she said promotes clean sport and is among the countries which are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, adding Botswana government continue to support the development of sports in the country. She also appealed to the private sector to invest in sports as well, given that Botswana’s athletes have become great ambassadors for the nation and when Makwala or Amos enters the track, nations are reminded of the country Botswana.

For his part, Botswana National Olympic Committee acting president, Lt.Col Botsang Tshenyego said the future of sport is threatened by three major vices in the form of violence, doping, and corruption.

He said it is therefore important for all to wage a war against things which are menacing sport, adding he was aware of the global efforts by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

 

Team Botswana includes:

100 metres -Thabiso Sekgopi

100 metres hurdles, Refilwe Murangi and Kgalalelo Tlalaanyane

200 metres-Aobakwe Malau

400 metres -Karabo Sibanda

800 metres-Thandi Uerimura

High jump- Aobakwe Nkobela

Long jump- Kabo Mphali

Swimming- David Van Der Colff

Boxing- Mahommed Rajab Otukile (49kg) and Kutlwano Ogaketse (56kg).

Ends