07 Dec 2015

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng has cautioned athletes not to be tempted to use performance enhancing substances in order to win medals.

Speaking at the official opening of the 4^th edition of Botswana Games in Francistown on Saturday December 5, the minister said winning was a good habit, but that it should not be something that one engages in illegal activities to win as it would instead destroy someone’s career in sports.

Illegal substances, he added, have serious consequences in that one could be banned to ever take part in sport activities. He added that it would not only affect the said individual athlete alone but tarnish the country’s image as well.

Furthermore, Minister Olopeng implored team managers and their chef de mission to guide and protect the young athletes, noting that everybody wants to come out the best and beat all other 16 districts taking. 

He reminded them that they should bear in mind that the athletes were still young.

He added that the youngsters should be allowed to learn and grow with age and to be taught the right ethics as well as the conduct of a sports personality.

“I am aware that we want them to train hard to graduate into athletes that make their way to the medal podium at international competitions,” he said.

He also implored teams to learn from the experience which they would attain at the games and to take something positive back to their schools, athletics clubs and communities while at the same time making their districts proud both on their performance and on their conduct on and off the field.

On other issues, he pointed out that the Botswana Games project was an ambition of his ministry for the development of sport and youth in Botswana, noting that the ministry has set aside P15 million for the games. 

And this was in recognition of the multiple benefits of hosting such games regularly.

In addition, he highlighted that the games provide an opportunity for rigorous competition at a tender age to develop world class athletes as well as provide officials with the experience of organising and running national competitions and events.

“This experience will be useful for both athletes and officials as the country bids for and hosts international competitions in line with our strategy for event based tourism,” he said.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) said this was the first time the games have been hosted outside Gaborone. 

This, he said, has been as a result of lack of up to standard facilities in other parts of the country. ENDS