19 Apr 2018

Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Thato Kwerepe says it is the ministry’s deliberate effort to see to it that students who excel in sporting activities are supported in creating a path that will lead to success at international arenas.

He was speaking at the BOPSSA/BISA 2018 competitions, which commenced on April 18 in Francistown.  Kwerepe noted that sport played a critical role in modern day era as it had become a source of wealth, entertainment, employment creation as well as uniting nations and communities.

“This competition will help my ministry and the nation of Botswana to identify talent and later groom it to match the standards achieved by elder brothers and sisters,” he noted.Further, he said as competitions started ‘all the athletes who are here are aware of what team Botswana achieved in Australia’ they should emulate the success of Team Botswana thus creating themselves a path for their future.

He also encouraged students to strike a balance between academics and sport because not all of them would reach the highest levels of competitions.

The assistant minister said it was important that they have something to fall back on, pointing out that those who would succeed in reaching the highest levels of competitions also need a certificate, a diploma or a degree to fall back on as sport is a short career.

Moreover, he cautioned students about the dangers of using drugs and encouraged them to stay away from such practices as it affected their participation in sports and general health. He appreciated the endless efforts made by teachers in performing multiple roles in a school set up.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the mayor of Francistown, Sylvia Muzila thanked the officials for bringing the competitions to the city and noted such competitions were used to pick the stars of tomorrow and urged athletes to perform to their level best.

She further encouraged the BOPSSA/BISA officials to keep on grooming the stars of tomorrow. ENDS