03 Dec 2018

 Botswana has assembled a formidable team that will represent the country during Region 5 Youth Games Gaborone 2018 from December 7-16.

Team Botswana is currently camping in Orapa to prepare for the prestigious games. 

The team’s chef de mission, Boitumelo Moagi said in an interview that the team comprised 275 members; 215 athletes, 51 officials and nine medical officers. 

She said she was confident that they had selected a pool of athletes that would be in a position to represent the country with pride. 

“I think we have picked our crème de la crème, and I can safely say we are ready for the games as team Botswana. All the athletes are looking forward to represent their country,” she said. 

Moagi said the athletes’ mission was to utilise home ground advantage, adding that this time around they had entered a large number of athletes as compared to the last games that were held in Angola. 

She said the team was free from injuries and that expectations were that they would remain healthy so that they could prove their mettle given that the games were important for young athletes as it would give them exposure. 

Team Botswana left for Orapa on November 24 and is expected back in Gaborone today. 

The games will attract the best Under 20 athletes from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, eSwatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, (with guest participants from Tanzania in male football.)

The 2018 edition will feature visually impaired basketball, boxing, football, judo, netball, swimming, tennis and volleyball. 

Furthermore, she said as a member of the Africa Union Sports Council Region 5, Botswana has signed the protocol agreements for hosting the games, hence they found it paramount to appoint a capable local organising committee. ENDS