10 Aug 2018

Residents of Qangwa and Xaixai in the Okavango District have taken a decision to ensure continuity in the Gchwiihaba Sport Challenge.

The challenge, which is held on President’s Day holidays, was launched in 2017 through the support of the Office of the President.

This year, the Office of the President did not manage to support the event, but some leaders took it upon themselves to host the challenge.

The main objective of the challenge is to bring young people together to unearth new talent as teams competed in different sport codes.

The winners are awarded prize money and sport equipment.

In an interview, the councillor for Qangwa/Xaxa, Lelentlejwang Sokwe said they adopted the initiative as it brought life to communities.

He said they wanted to maintain the legacy left by the Office of the President more so that residents in the affected villages were far from services.

He appreciated the benefits of the event, noting that it had given players exposure and that it was their hope that some would progress into mainstream football in the beMobile Premiership League and the Debswana First Division League.

Besides giving players exposure, Sokwe said the challenge boosted the teams economically and helped in keeping the youth disciplined.

He said this year, the Office of the President did not support the initiative due to financial constraints, but “I managed to sponsor the sports challenge to the tune of P42 000 and it was a success,” he added.

He said as the village leaders, they intended to hold the event annually and expand it by bringing in the cultural aspect which would attract more ethnic groups from the surrounding villages to participate.

The area councillor said they expected the event to bring more benefits to communities as they would have an opportunity to showcase their unique culture and market their hand-made products and eventually improve their economic status.

Sokwe said the challenge has attracted a lot of people who travelled to the hosting place to have fun and also appreciate the beauty of the Gchwiihaba Caves.

He said the activity served as a gateway for tourists to appreciate the cultural heritage of communities living in the areas of Qangwa and Xaixai and also learn about their way of life.

“We want to see this event growing big and become one of the big events in our calendar. We want to engage young people so that they do not have time to indulge in unacceptable behaviour,” he added. ENDS