18 Sep 2016

The 400-metre athlete, Karabo Sibanda, says parents should encourage their children to take part in sport at a tender age.
Sibanda made the remarks at the annual Maun Inter-Preschool Games hosted by Delta Waters International School recently.
He said taking part in sport at an early age promoted the spirit of competition among pupils as they grow up understanding that they might lose or win.
He also noted that youngsters would also gain experience and confidence and eventually work on their future.
Sibanda commended the school management for organising such an event noting that the children’s talent would be identified early and nurtured accordingly.
The African junior champion gave an example about his career saying he did not have an opportunity while at preschool but his talent was unearthed at primary school level where his mother gave him tsupport.
“I am where I am today because of the support from my parents and I can assure you that as you start at preschool, you will become the best athletes in the country,” he added.
Sibanda, who is also the Botswana National Sports Council’s sports person of the year, said education, including sports, was the most powerful weapon in life; thus he urged the pupils to strike a balance between sport and education.
He said education did not only refer to academic work, but also to sports as it could be a means of survival. He encouraged parents to urge their children to use their talent as it might be the gateway to success if one did not make it academically.
The school principal, Noah Chireshe, said they invited Sibanda since he was a role model to the youngsters.
He also pointed out that they looked to pupils as a gift not only to their parents but to the country at large because they are the future leaders hence; “we must catch them while young”.
He said the games were meant to give them a platform to show what they were capable of so that they could be nurtured and developed.
The deputy principal in primary education, Filinah Mlambo said pre-schools had a unique and talented mix of pupils and she was optimistic that one day they would become renowned athletes; like Sibanda.
Participants included Chobe Day Care Centre, Mighty Skills Day Care Centre, Au-Pair Day Care Centre, Bana ba Phefo Day Care Centre, Nabokenya Day Care Centre, and the host Delta Waters. ENDS