01 Dec 2016

 Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) has inducted former president, Sir Seretse Khama, for his contribution in sport.

Sir Seretse Khama was inducted during the Botswana Sport Hall of Fame on Tuesday and his grandson, Goitsebeng Khama, received the award on behalf of the family.

Sir Seretse Khama was described as a charismatic leader and a passionate sportsman who played football as a goalkeeper at Motherwell, before he grouped his Malekantwa regiment and founded a club called Malekantwa now called Miscellaneous.

He was reportedly passionate about the team to the extent that he would buy playing equipment, at times he served as a coach and when the chips were down he motivated his team mates during matches.

Sir Seretse Khama was  inducted because he strongly believed in the spirit of self-reliance and one of his boipelego initiatives was construction of the National Stadium.

In his speech, he said “it may be a few years before we collect gold medals from the Americans and Russians in the Olympic Games and relieve the English of the World Cup”.

Goitsebeng Khama said   in an interview that he was happy and humbled to receive his grandfather’s award on behalf of his family.

Furthermore, he said he was also  happy that his grandfather was recognised for his contribution in sport.

“Sport is a beautiful thing, as it can bring the country together, it can build patriotism and pride, and there is no doubt about that, “he said.

Still at the same event former Vikings softball pitcher Labbeaus Peloewetswe and former volleyball player Tsoseletso Magang were also recognised for  their contribution in the development of sport during their time as  players and administrators

Speaking at the induction ceremony, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Thapelo Olopeng said so far a total of 13 sport hero’s and heroines had been inducted in the past two editions of Botswana Sport Hall of Fame.

He said Botswana had made significant strides in sport which needs to be celebrated, adding that Amantle Montsho’ s first 400 metres World Championship and Nijel Amos’ Olympic medal at the London 2012 Olympic were tremendous strides in the local sport.
Furthermore, he said the great performance by most of national sport association such as  athletics, boxing, karate and volleyball were a results of a solid foundation that was laid by the sport pioneers. ENDS