04 Feb 2020

 Government views the construction of a sport stadium in Letlhakane as a welcome development that will add to efforts to grow sport locally, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development, Tumiso Rakgare says.

Speaking at a ground breaking ceremony for Letlhakane Stadium recently, Rakgare said the project would not only change the landscape of Boteti, but that of Botswana sport infrastructure in general.

He said the project would avail the much needed facilities and was expected to facilitate talent identification in Boteti, and provide young people in the area with a platform to excel in sports.

Also, he noted that the project would add to Botswana’s competitiveness in hosting major sporting events such as Botswana Games, national schools’ competitions as well as premier league matches.

Rakgare further thanked Lucara Botswana for finding it vital to partner with Boteti Sub-district to develop a sport facility in Letlhakane.

He said it was pleasing that as part of its corporate responsibility, the company had taken a stand, to undertake projects that had the potential to not only benefit the community within, which it operates, but also the entire nation.

He urged other companies to invest in similar facilities in areas they operate in, in order to take Botswana to the next level in terms of sports.

The minister also advised Lucara and the community to develop a management structure, with a clear management plan to finish the project on time.

Eira Thomas of Lucara said they found it fit to construct the sports complex in Letlhakane to make a different in the area within, which they operate.

She said they build a sports complex that would be admired throughout the country and that would make sports appealing, especially to the youth.

Thomas said the stadium would feature a community centre, with a multi-purpose hall, big enough to hold conferences, a sports complex with a running track, tennis and volleyball courts as well as an outdoor gym.

Boteti East MP, Sethomo Lelatisitswe also applauded Lucara for its good work, especially since the Boteti community had long longed for a project of this type.

He said Letlhakane had produced some talented sports stars such as Christine Botlogetswe. ENDS