11 Dec 2017

In their effort to prepare athletes for life after sport, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) organised a one-day Athlete Career Programme (ACP) outreach workshop on December 9.

Athletes from different sporting codes were drilled on how to prepare a resume, how to recognise their transferable strength and identify their marketable skills that will allow them to build a plan to pursue in the labour market amongst others.

BNOC, chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho said in an interview that they had observed that not all their athletes were able to plan for period post their competitive days, hence they organised the workshop.

“We have many examples of people who were stars during their days, whom Batswana loved and would throng competition venues just to go and watch them. We are cognisant of the fact that in the past that maybe there was not a lot of money, but we are aware of cases of athletes making a decent amount of money, but after competing not many of them are doing well,” he said.

Furthermore, Serufho said they were aware of the current crop of athletes, who were not using their money prudently, as some would blow all the money they earn in activities that were not valuable.

Therefore, he said they found it pertinent to have workshops to help athletes appreciate that they would not be in sport forever and  that they need to start to planning for life after sport. 

South Africa’s 2012 Olympic rowing gold medallist, also the workshop facilitator, Sizwe Ndlovu, said the International Olympic Committee Athlete-ACP was a programme, which helps athletes to balance education and sport while still in competitions to build the network to prepare for life after sport.

Meanwhile, the ACP supports athletes, while they prepare for their career transition.

It provides them with the resources and training required to develop their life skills, maximising their education and employment opportunities. ENDS