29 Oct 2015

Francistown city is more than ready for the fourth edition of Botswana Games pencilled for December 5-12.

Preparations are already at an advanced stage as the games organising committee has already held two meetings of Chef de Missions of 16 districts and one meeting of general team managers to get an update.

BNSC sports development director- technical, Bobby Gaseitsewe said BNSC was happy with the progress made so far.

He said 16 districts councils would compete during the games and they include Gaborone, South East, Lobatse, Southern, Jwaneng, Kweneng, Kgalagadi, Ghanzi, North West, North East, Sowa, Central, Selebi Phikwe, Francistown, Chobe and Kgatleng.

Like in the past games, Gaseitsewe said 13 codes would participate and they include athletics, athletics for the visual impaired, basketball, badminton, boxing, chess, football, karate, netball, volleyball, softball, swimming and tennis.

In 2011, a total of 5 636 athletes participated in the games, but this year only 2 607 would be part of the games.

Gaseitsiwe said they had given districts a small quota and that participating athletes should be the best from the participating districts.

The games organising committee, he said had tried to make the games to be a yardstick of talent identification.

“We will be having the best eight teams in football, basketball, netball, volleyball and we will not change a lot of what has been happening, but will only build on the foundation set before,” he said.

Gaseitsewe further said there would be 300 technical officials and 600 volunteers would help in different areas of the competition.

Botswana Games are an invention of BNSC and they were established to develop and give athletes who were under 18 years opportunity to showcase their talent.

The games were established in 2007 and were held again in 2009 and 2011 in Gaborone.

In other issues, he said they did not invite any guests officially from outside the country, but neighbouring countries were aware of the games.

Nonetheless, he said Zimbabwe and Namibia were countries that had shown interest in attending the games.

On accommodation and hospitality, Gaseitsiwe said the playing facilities and accommodation had been identified and confirmed as Tonota College of Education (TCE), Francistown College of Education (FCE), Tashata School, Shashe River School, Mater Spei, Clifton School, Francistown Tennis Club, BDF-Donga, Old Francistown Stadium, Pelotshwaana School, Tlhalogang School, Tagala School, Francistown College of Vocational and Technical College (FCVTE) and Civic Center.

“We can only plead with the Francistown and surrounding community to come in large numbers and cheer up these future champions. Athletes like Nijel Amos and Tracy Chaba are some of the athletes who have participated in these games before,” he said.

Gaseitsiwe said BNSC was happy with the support they get from the Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture in funding the Games, adding that they also appreciate the support from ministries of local government and rural development, education and skills development, infrastructure, science and technology and Health.

“We are also thankful to companies in Francistown who continue to offer us sponsorship in different means and the entrance fee will be free,” he said.

Minister of Youth Sport Culture, Thapelo Olopeng will officially open the games on December 6. ENDS