27 Aug 2019

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) is committed to promoting sport and healthy lifestyles as well as nurturing and developing talent. 

Welcoming three universities hosted by  BIUST Staff Sports Recreational Association (BSSRA) in Palapye on August 24, deputy vice chancellor, Dawid Katze said BIUST management took pride in being at the heart of sport, developing staff and students as the next generation of elite sports persons. 

BIUST hosted the University of South Africa (UNISA), University of Free State (UFS) and Sefhako Makgato Health Services who competed in soccer, netball, volleyball and indoor games such as pool, table tennis and darts among others. 

Katze also commended the universities from South Africa for taking part in the games. 

“Let me express gratitude to the participating universities and attach great importance to the partnership between BIUST and these three universities,” he said. 

The deputy vice chancellor also noted that sport kept people healthy and helped hem to have a positive mindset. 

He commended the BSSRA committee for the effort of organising and holding the games. 

The games, which were the first to be hosted by BIUST, were meant to forge relationships and partnerships between the universities, and to promote a healthy and productive staff in the work place. 

In an interview on the sidelines of the games, BSSRA president, Kelebonye Bagai said the games were the first with BSSRA as the initial host. 

He explained that BSSRA was part of an umbrella body called Southern African Universities Staff Sports Association (SAUSSA) comprising of 19 universities from South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe. 

He said the essence of the games was recreational and for staff to compete in sports. 

“The main objective is to keep a healthy lifestyle and to encourage people to be physically fit. In addition, the games are meant for staff from the different universities, including BIUST, to network through sports while having fun,” he said. 

“It is the first time for some participants to cross the border and come to Botswana, and it is a great outing for them to know and learn about this country and Palapye,” he added. 

Bagai said the four universities objective was to assess if BIUST had the capacity to host SAUSSRA competitions billed for December next year. 

He said participating staff members were impressed by the hospitality they received, and the ability of BIUST to host visitors. 

Bagai noted that they attracted around 250 participants.

He said they were expecting 1 200 athletes next December when all 19 universities land in Palapye. 

He said sport, like universities, played a major role in international relations. 

“Sport has the capability to unite people and bring peace,” he said. Ends