17 Oct 2016

International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport chairperson Ruth Maphorisa said she was happy that Botswana has honoured her promise of hosting Africa Women in Sport conference.
Speaking during a two day Africa Women in Sport conference hosted by International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport,   under the theme Reshaping Africa Women and Sport, she said the conference was held in order to create a platform for Africa women to begin to regroup and revive the structures for women in sport.
She said two years when Botswana took over from Finland, as the African continent they were determined that they would carry the baton forward and take IWG in Africa to another level.
“We have honoured our promise and it’s now upon all of us to seize this opportunity and use the platform we have created to build the future of women’s participation in sport, “she said.
Furthermore, Maphorisa said delegates had been re-energised, encouraged to move forward, adding that as individuals, organisations and countries she was confident that all would reflect on the issues that had been discussed and come up with a road map towards achieving equality in sport.
“I believe that this Africa conference has achieved the results that we wanted. One thing we have realised is that we face the same challenges throughout the continent, “she said.
Maphorisa said it was now imperative for all to encourage our governments to embrace their thoughts, and ideas in ensuring that they achieve their goals.
She told the delegates that the IWG World congress to be hosted by Botswana in 2018 is not only for Botswana to stand up and ensure that it is a success.
Botswana, she said maybe the hosting country, but it is a chance for Africa to show the rest of the World that the continent can host world class international events with ease and immense articulation.
 “Let us unite as a continent and work towards one goal. We know the struggle we have as a continent in progressing in sport as women, we know our challenges and we know what we need to do to be able to be amongst the best, “she said. ENDS