30 Mar 2016

In recognition of her sterling performance in the international sport arena, Ghanzi farmers have donated 11 cattle to the former 400-metre world champion, Ms Amantle Montsho. 

Speaking at a ceremony to hand over the cattle in Maun, the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Thapelo Olopeng expressed gratitude for the good gesture demonstrated by the farmers.

 Mr Olopeng said what the farmers did was humbling as it would encourage the spirit of hard work among sports people.

He said Ms Montsho, who started to show her talent at the tender age of 12, took her athletic gift with the seriousness that it deserved and overcame all obstacles, discouragements and impossibilities to finally reach the peak.

He said Ms Montsho did not reach the peak without challenges and failures in the process. He noted that the celebrated athlete was in position eight at Beijing in 2008, and that it did not dampen her spirit as she knew that athletics was her God given talent and passion.

He recognised Ms Montsho as the first Motswana woman to make history and win the country several accolades in the international athletics arena.

 Furthermore, he advised Ms Montsho that farming was a trade that needed to be taken with zeal and passion for there was a lot of challenges met by farmers which included diseases and cattle straying, amongst others.

“Success is not an accident, you have to work hard in taking care of these cattle and show people that even though they were 11 initially, the number would have increased manifold in future,” said the minister.

 Mr Olopeng said life was full of challenges such as her two-year suspension for anti-doping violation after she tested positive for methylxaneamine at the 2014 Commonwealth games.

“Do not be discouraged by challenges because they are part of life, the government will keep on supporting you,’’ he assured, encouraging the athlete to continue training.

Kgosi Keleatile Moremi of Batawana assured Ms Montsho that they had always been behind her during the anti-doping scandal.

“We prayed every day for things to normalise, she said. Batawana have always been proud of you for flying the country’s flag high during international encounters,’’she said.

Kgosi Moremi said the country was still expecting more from Ms Montsho and hoped the athlete would keep on visiting Maun to encourage children to be the best they could be.

She thanked Ghanzi farmers for their gift, advising Ms Montsho that cattle farming could be a profitable business which includes by products such as yoghurt and hides.

Ms Montho’s father, Mr Victor Nkape appreciated the gifts.

Meanwhile, Ms Montsho said she started full training around November 2015. Although she did not think she will make it for the Olympics, she said she was preparing for the next World Championships.

 Ms Montsho said she had put the anti-doping scandal behind her and was now concentrating on the future. Furthermore, she said she was planning to retire after the World Championships. As for the cattle, she said she was going to keep them. She thanked Batswana for their support during her dark days. ENDS