31 Aug 2015

September 1st (today) marks the first day of Botswana’s independence month. On this day at 1450 hours, a team of 11 young Batswana will fly a few thousand kilometres to the beautiful island of Samoa, where they will represent the country at the 5th Commonwealth Youth Games that begin on September 5 -12.

Track and field athletes, boxers and a swimmer will embark on a journey taken by some of today’s stars in the past. 

In particular, Kirani James, Nijel Amos, Chad le Clos all went through the Commonwealth Games and today they are world beaters in their fields. The ‘Friendly Games’, as the Commonwealth Games are known, while big games in their own right, both at youth and open level, also serve as a launch pad for athletes to the bigger stages of the world championships and Olympic Games.

Therefore, it will be no surprise if the names of young athletes mentioned here could well be the names of world sport in Goldcoast in 2018, Tokyo in 2020 and indeed many major games in the future.

Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho has thus seen a farewell message to the team befitting.

“To our young team, let there be no pressure on yourselves; go out to Samoa and perform your best, make friends and be good ambassadors for Botswana. Whatever result you will get we will accept for our only condition for satisfaction is your having done the best you could.”

That is because, many a times when athletes do not perform to expectation and bring medals from competitions, they are often castigated. However, Serufho says to the team, “If you’ll bring medals, that will be a bonus, but in case not, we will still be proud of you. All you would need to do is just to dust yourselves, go back and work hard and try again in future. Remember not all of today’s stars got it on the first try.” 

What a message from a true young leader. In fact, some will agree with Serufho that indeed the young should not be put under any sort of pressure.

It is on such background that the BNOC chief is also compelled to send a message again to the nation.

“To Batswana; thank you very much for having supported the team thus far. May we keep the love as they will sure need it in Samoa, and indeed even after the games. Let’s all also wish Michael Moroka and his team all the best in Samoa.”

Meanwhile, preparations for the games had begun in earnest. The team went into its final training camp at Oasis Motel from August 15 and until today when they depart for Samoa. All athletes had been on camp except David who is in the USA. Equally important, the BNOC had arranged psychology sessions for the team during the camp. 

Remember, the team comprises young athletes who are still pursuing their education, therefore the BNOC engaged BOCODOL to provide them tuition services to ensure that they did not remain behind academically.

 

As part of preparations, athletics team competed at the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) on August 15 at the University of Botswana Stadium and boxing went to Francistown for interclub tournament on August 22. The team will be welcomed back home in a ceremony scheduled for September 14 at the Grand Palm. Ends

THE TEAM

 

Aobakwe Nkobela, 

Born 14 January 1999. 

Event: High Jump

 

Aobakwe Malau, 

Born on 25 May 1998.

Event: 200m

 

Kabo Mphali, 

Born on 23 February 1998. 

Event: Long Jump

 

Karabo Sibanda, 

Born on 2 July 1998. 

Event: 400m

 

Kgalalelo Tlalaanyane, 

Born on 22 May 1998. 

Event: 100m

 

Refilwe Murangi, 

Born on 28 December 1999. 

Event: 100m and 200m

 

Thandi Uerimuna, 

Born on 13 April 1998. 

Event: 800m

 

Thabiso Sekgopi, 

Born on 2 February 1998. 

Event: 200m 

 

Kutlwano Ogaketse,

 Born on 3 July 1997. 

Event: Boxing (56kg-Men)

 

Mahommed Otukile, 

born on 28 June 1997. 

Event: Boxing (49kg-Men)

 

David Van Der Colff, 

born on 29 April 1997.

Event: Swimming (100m backstroke, 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly and freestyle).

 

Travelling with the team are Moroka (Chef de mission), Wedu Motswetla (general manager), Onalenna Kenosi (physiotherapist), Valerie Ives (swimming coach), Othusitse Mogotsakgotla (boxing coach) and Mogomotsi Otsetswe and Naniso Magwamba (athletics).