31 Jul 2018

Team Botswana arrived home on Monday from Algiers with 14 medals from the 3^rd Africa Youth Games. Out of 41 African countries, Botswana finished on position 16 winning one gold, three sliver and 10 bronze medals.

Of the 14 medals, four came from swimming, six from athletics, one from boxing and one from weightlifting.

A total of 53 athletes represented Botswana in 13 sporting codes being athletics, badminton, beach volleyball, boxing, cycling, judo, Taekwondo, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting, karate and swimming.

The team manager, California Molefe said in interview that the competition went well and that the athletes displayed excellent performances in different codes.

Even those who did not make it to the podium, Molefe said they performed well since they managed to clock their Personal Best in different events.

“That alone was a manifestation that they went to Algiers to compete, not to participate in the competitions,” he said.

Talking about whether they achieved their medal target, he said Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Dikgang Makgalemele made it clear that athletes should do their best and enjoy the games, without setting any medal target.

“So I believe they just did that, they enjoyed the games and at the same time they pushed themselves and won medals,” he said.

Molefe said for athletics, the games were also used as qualifiers for the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympics scheduled for Buenos Aires, Argentina, in October.

“So a couple of our athletes have qualified during the games, and it is something that we are happy for,” he said.

Bernard Olesitse, who won silver in 400 metres, said the competition was tough but he was happy that he brought home a medal.

 He said he had anticipated that he would win a gold medal but even though that did not happen what soothes his soul was the fact that he managed to clock his Personal Best.

Boxer Oteng Letloa, who also won a silver, said the compeetion went well even though her opponent managed to outclass her with experience.

“To be honest the final was very tough, I did my best, I was using power, my opponent was using skill, therefore I have learnt a lot from the games,” she said. ENDS