22 Feb 2017

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Thapelo Olopeng has appealed for private sector to partner with government to successfully deliver the 8th edition of African Union Sport Council (AUSC) region 5 Under 20 youth games.

Minister Olopeng signed a protocol agreement to host AUSC games following announcement Botswana’s turn to host the event in December 2016.

Olopeng told the media during the signing that Botswana government had already committed to fund the Games.

However he said the budget was not adequate to deliver games of the highest standard, therefore appealed to the private sector to partner with government to deliver a more meaningful games.

Further Olopeng acknowledged that time had been lost in preparing for the games however promising to fast track preparations in order to make sure they met the schedule.

“The LOC for the games will be launched in April 2017. We will do our best to adequately prepare for the games as we have always done with a view to make the country proud,” he said.

Olopeng also called for support for athletes, saying they had proven beyond doubt that they were talented, but needed support from all stakeholders in order for them to turn sport into a commercial venture.  He said Botswana had been participating in the Under 20 youth games since their first edition in 2004 in Mozambique and have since performed exceptionally.

“In 2016, our athletes put up an even brilliant performance in Luanda, Angola,” he said.

Most importantly, Olopeng appealed to the local media to support the games by profiling athletes and giving them maximum exposure.  For his part, AUSC region 5 chairperson, Dr Ventumbuavi Veii said region 5 existed for the advancement and promotion of regional integration through sport and recreation in accordance with the SADC Protocol.

Therefore the games are designed in the conformity with the two pronouncements by the SADC heads of state and government.

Dr Veii said hence they are delighted as AUSC region 5 have consistently been able to fulfill their mandate in accordance with the SADC protocol. Apart from hosting regional tournaments he said they had deployed efforts towards advancement of talent and creation of centres of excellence, including heightening attention towards encouraging local industries and the formal sector to be directly involved in the commerce of sport.

Dr veii said after signing the protocol agreement, there will be need for all parties to work together to ensure a memorable games experience for athletes and spectators.

“We will request the indulgence of the minister to ensure expedient establishment of the relevant organs and structures for the organization and management of the games as earl as reasonably possible,” he said.

He also requested that both operational and capital budgets be formulated and financed for proper funding of the LOC . BOPA