09 Nov 2017

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama says local sport has come of age, as last year athletics and karate teams performed exceptionally well bringing home medals from international competitions. 

Delivering the State of the Nation Address on November 6, President Khama said collectively, Botswana teams won a total of 194 medals in the last financial year, and 141 medals, including 48 gold, have already been won since April of this year.

He said government had spent over P130 million on sports development this past year, against P37 million received from private sector sponsorship.

He therefore encouraged more private sector investment to at least match government in the future, to improve performances and meet the welfare needs of athletes, adding government continues to motivate athletes by paying appearance fees and performance incentives.

President Khama said the countries heavy investment in capacity building of sport administrators and development of sport infrastructure had also enabled Botswana to host major sporting events.

“You will all have witnessed the recent Netball World Youth Cup 2017, where we hosted 19 countries. Similarly, we have hosted the World Baseball and Softball Conference in October 2017 and will be welcoming International Working Group on Women and the African Union Sport Council Region 5 under 20 Games in 2018,” he said.

On constituency sport tournaments, he said the programme continued to attract sizeable numbers of youths who benefit from both recreation and physical fitness through their participation. In 2016/17 financial year, he added, participation levels averaged 84 000 compared to 28 500 at inception in 2008.

This year, he said athletics has been introduced as the fourth sporting code covered by the games after football, netball and volleyball.

On gambling, President Khama said the Gambling Act was passed in 2012, opening the door for National Lottery as well as new betting activities.

“Once operational, the lottery will further support the development of sport and recreation and arts and culture, as well as youth empowerment and local charities," he said. ENDS