19 Oct 2015

Like in relationships where people please their partners, the same applies to the talented heroes and heroines who sweat tooth and nail to raise the name and flag of their countries and during the zenith of their performances, articles are written about their newly found fame and new friends are created, however when their performances wane due to some injuries and falling out of the school system or even when old age catches with them they are quickly forgotten as new blood replays them.

However worldwide countries have seen it suit to celebrate their champions during their rise and fall and some even went to an extent of infusing them back into their former sporting fraternities as not only ambassadors but as coaches and administrators the thing that has been proved to develop sport in total. However the latter has not been a familiar norm to follow in Botswana as many talents have either gone unnoticed or simply been overlooked.

The latter was confirmed in an interview by the former Botswana marathon runner,  43-year-old Tiyapo Maso who stated that although sporting career in total is very short lived in the field it is apparent for responsible organising bodies such as Botswana Athletic Association, Botswana Karate Association and of all the Botswana National Sport Council to follow up on the trail of former athletes in order to infuse them back into sport to enable them to give back to the community.

 Maso who stated that there are many veterans whose efforts have gone unnoticed said it is high time for responsible bodies to look back and utilise their skills since they are experienced and also can motivate children as they look up to them as role models.

The veteran and the national marathon record holder of 2:17:04 in the 42.2 kilometre race has been around the globe through sport said he keeps fit by doing road works because as a driver at Central Transport Organisation he has limited time to practice.

He said he has the urge and  is ready to coach any team as he has the nitty-gritty of marathon coaching, adding that although the country has spent a lot on him through Zebra Fund which is up to P100 000 he is amazed to see his skills go unnoticed. He also added that he has been promised to work at BNSC but in vain.

Furthermore, Maso who said he leads a simple life and hardly recognised 2000 Sydney Olympic qualifier added that he is tortured by questions from a legion of his fans and former sponsors who want to know why he is not part of the structure that assists in developing athletes in Botswana, but he stressed that when given that chance he can develop a lot of talents that can compete at international level.

The veteran who started running in 1994 has done it all from the Hungary Budapest cross country to the world cross country in 1999 at Morocco up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic and the 2001 United Kingdom Bristol marathon just to mention a few and above all.

 

 As if that is not enough,  Maso praised President  Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama and the Minister of Sport Youth and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng for being patrons of sport in the country citing the minister’s current call-up for veterans to participate in sport and the recent launch of National Fitness Day. Ends