15 Nov 2015

The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture spent more than P10 million during the Africa Games held in Congo Brazzaville.

 The Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Thapelo Olopeng said the country sent a delegation of 141 athletes and officials comprising of 95 athletes from 14 sporting codes. He said they were accompanied by 46 officials.

Minister Olopeng said the officials consisted of a chef de mission and deputy chef de mission who led the delegation and acted as liaison officers and 35 managers and coaches responsible for the affairs of each of the 14 sports codes.

He added that five physiotherapists responsible for helping the athletes and two medical doctors responsible for attending athletes were also part of the delegation.

He further said one psychologist responsible for counselling athletes before and after the competitions and one general team manager responsible for the overall welfare of athletes and officials were present.

“As regards the media, there was only one independent photographer, my ministry had offered media houses free transportation to Congo and back, but they could not take it up because they could not afford the cost of per diem for their personnel,” said Mr Olopeng.

Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister the amount spent by the government for the Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville and the total delegation sent by Botswana for the games.

He also wanted to know the number of athletes who participated in the event and the officials who accompanied them

Mr Nkaigwa further asked the role of each official during the games, and if there were any media representatives among the officials. Ends