18 Apr 2017

Ngamiland leaders have commended teachers and coaches for their continued support and contribution towards sports development in the country.

Different speakers showered them with accolades for a job well done during a welcome ceremony for the North West region team which brought home 105 medals from the just ended Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) and Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association (BOPSSA) national athletics finals in Francistown.

The BISA team clinched 24 gold medals, 19 silver and 10 bronze while the BOPSSA got 28 gold medals, 18 silver and 15 bronze medals respectively. It was reported that the competitions were also used to select teams that will represent the country during the Confederation of School Sports Association of Southern Africa (COSASA) in Harare, Zimbabwe in May.

Speakers said coaches with support from teachers and parents had showed commitment and perseverance to ensure athletes perform to their best ability and bring home medals.

One of the speakers, chairperson of Maun Administrative Authority, Gaokgakala Letswee said it is important to celebrate success as thus motivate participants and coaches.

He encouraged teachers and coaches to keep on the good work of nurturing the pupils’ talents at the grassroot level noting that eventually they will grow and get exposure. He said historically, Ngamiland region is an area with wealth of talent in terms of sport performance and development in the country.

“This region has contributed significantly in development and growth of sport in the country as talented athletes were unearthed from the region,” he added.

Letswee cited the likes of Glody Dube, Amantle Montsho and Karabo Sibanda whom he said they had become professional athletes and in the process making fortunes.

Earlier on, the leadership was informed that about 120 athletes from the region would form part of the team that would represent the country at the COSASA competitions in Zimbabwe.

The chairperson, Letswee urged the selected athletes to go and make the country proud by bringing more medals.

Deputy paramount chief, Kgosi Bringle Dithapo described the team as heroes and heroines noting that they had put the region in the map. He described sports as an important too which gives people an opportunity to interact, exchange ideas and learn new things.

Furthermore, he said sport provide an opportunity to make schools friendly to children adding that some can be motivated by sports to excel in their studies.

One of the organizers, Basiame Molathiwa thanked the leadership for appreciating their efforts in sports development noting that the surprise welcome ceremony really motivates them including the athletes.

He explained that the Northern region which Ngamiland falls under did exceptionally well. Ngamiland dubbed sub zone DH, he said scooped the most gold medals overall with Maun Senior Secondary School performing generally well as some athletes broke the record citing Tshepiso Masilela clocking 1:5 in 800 metres. Masilela also got gold medals in 1500 metres and relay.

Maun School collected 15 gold medals, 10 silver and three bronze and walked away with a trophy. Molathiwa also stated that some athletics got more than one medals. Nine year old Sinah Matlho also made the region proud as she managed to get a three gold medal in 400 metres. BOPA