08 Jul 2018

Despite the fact that the international media is awash with news that Botswana, Senegal Nigeria and Tunisia have registered interest in hosting the 2022 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Botswana is yet to commit to hosting the games.

However, consultation between relevant stakeholders and Botswana’s Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development is said to be ongoing.

Some commentators are of the view that it is important for the government to take a stand and quickly, given that other countries have started to canvass for the support to be given the rights to host the Games.

Of the three countries, Tunisia was seen as a threat to Botswana, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is said to have frozen its bid after the country excluded Israeli athletes from competing in the Taekwondo World Junior Championship in Tunisia, last month.

Botswana is thus left with Nigeria and Senegal to tussle for the rights to host the prestigious event, which will be hosted in Africa’s shores for the first time, since the Youth Olympics’ inception in 2010.

Sport journalists who are following the development are also of the view that government should commit to host the Games looking at the benefit that can be derived from hosting such a magnificent showpiece.

Yarona FM, sport presenter Fox Phatsimo said in an interview with BOPA on Thursday in Gaborone that for a country that had in the past few years made strides in marketing itself through sports tourism, this would be the peak of that quest to date.

He said hosting the world would come with many benefits, which if taken full advantage of, would be enjoyed beyond the Games.

“The Blue, Black and White (Botswana flag colors) nation has in thepast successfully  hosted the Netball Youth World Cup Games, the Confederation of University and College Sports Association Games, Africa Youth Games, and the International Working Group on Women and Sports Congress just to name a few,” he said.

Phatsimo said there was no doubt that Botswana learned a lot in organising major events, hence it was important to go a few notches higher by hosting the 2022 Youth Olympic Games, if the opportunity presents itself.

Talking about the benefits of hosting, he said the country could do better during the competition, given that athletes tend to dig deeper into their ability tank when competing on home soil.

Often, he said, hosts were allowed more slots than usual, which means increased participation, and a good performance by the locals would definitely open doors for them thereafter.

“Scholarships, endorsement deals, and invitations to other world class events and training camps have in the past proved to be life-changing.

These are some of the perks that Botswana athletes could look forward to,” Phatsimo said.

He argued that preparations for the 2022 Youth Olympic Games could also provide an opportunity for local sport administrators to improve their craft.

He said such competitions were usually preceded by workshops, coaching clinics and training camps, adding therefore that office bearers, technical staff and sports volunteers would get a chance to attain accreditation and learn from the best in the world.

About infrastructure, he said if the country can host, government would be motivated to build infrastructure for the games and improve existing facilities and codes such tennis and volleyball might benefit from new structures that could be set up to host the world.

Talking about tourism, Phatsimo said the Games would attract a lot of tourists who would not be competing, but would visit other places such as Makgadikgadi Pans and Okavango Delta, before and after the Games.

“So chances are, if we host the world and they see Botswana for what it really is, they will come back. There is no better way of learning about a country than by visiting and exploring it. The happier the visitors are, the more likely they will sell the country by word of mouth.

Mmegi sport editor, Mqondisi Dube also said on Thursday in Gaborone that the benefits of hosting such Games were massive and from an economic view, there would be a lot of spin-offs, with visitors spending money, which would in turn assist even the ordinary person on the street including small businesses.

The upgrade in infrastructure, he said was one other immediate benefit given that it would be long lasting and it would also lead to hosting more international events.

Dube also opined that the profile of the country would grow from hosting a well-recognised tournament, which would also sell or brand the country to the whole world.

“In terms of competition, seeing the best in the world coming to Botswana will inspire both current and aspiring athletes,” he said.

On the media and television rights, he said there were obvious financial benefits if the host country was allowed to sell rights, adding that in the case they were not allowed to sell rights, there would be downstream benefits still as the state broadcaster and other local media can learn a lot on how to handle such assignments.

“Overall, there are benefits, but of course a cost analysis has to be done, then project profits/benefits to be derived from the hosting.

Some benefits cannot be immediately quantified and are long term, but it will be worth a go,” Dube said. The YOG is an international multi-sport event organized by the IOC.

The games are held every four years in staggered summer and winter events consistent with the current Olympic Games format.

The first summer version was held in Singapore from August 14 to 26, 2010 while the first winter version was held in Innsbruck, Austria from January 13 to 22, 2012. ENDS