15 Sep 2013

Lack of grass roots development has always been cited as the biggest impediment to progress in sports in Botswana. Most pundits have always decried the failure by sports bodies to cast their net wide and scout for talent through out the country.

“We have abundant talent in the country, but most of them end up fading away because their talent is not nurtured,” they said.

It is no secret that our finest athletes were discovered through school competitions.

Only a few of those managed to make it to greater heights, among them Glody Dube, Amantle Montsho and Carlifonia Molefhe. Sadly, a lot of talent goes to waste because many of the country’s gifted athletes in rural areas are left in the lurch after they drop out of school.

They end up resigning to life in rural areas and forgetting about sports. Many of them have resorted to alcohol abuse and other social ills.

Thanks to the constituency league, a lot of talented athletes in rural areas are now holding onto their dreams and aspirations to become accomplished sports persons.
BOPA toured the Okavango region recently and ended up at Chukumuchu village, some 200 kilometres west of Sehitwa.

The team found the constituency tournament in full swing.

The people had attended these tournaments in large numbers to support the athletes.

Most of the spectators boasted that there is too much talent in the village. One such outstanding athlete is 23 year old Tsheko Mopalo, who boasts that he used to be king of the tracks during his hey days at junior school.

A form three school drop out, Mopalo said in 2007 he dominated the track events in the 100 metres and 400 metres races.

“After junior school I went to further my studies at Makalamabedi brigade where we had a formidable 4 X 4 relay team that represented the North West region and dominated all tertiary school in the country, scooping gold in the finals,”  said Mopalo.

“Disco” as his fellow peers call him says he believes he could be making a living from his talent if it was not for the remoteness of his village.
He pointed out that the biggest challenges are high transport fees to places such as Maun and the rent that he would be forced to pay if he relocates there.

“I have found solace in the constituency tournaments. At least I am able to do what I love,” he said.

Another youth, Goitsemang Mareko said life in the village is tough because there are no job opportunities and a majority of the people survive through Ipelegeng.

He added that their problems worsened after the out break of foot and mouth disease, which killed cattle that they could be selling to sustain themselves.

He also urged sporting bodies to visit remote villages like Chukumuchu to come and unearth the raw talent that is abundant there. It is a fact that the North West region has produced some of the country’s best performing athletes.

Sadly, there are no facilities to support sports in such areas.

The athletes are left to waste because they are not motivated to pursue their dreams of bringing international accolades to Botswana through their sporting heroics. But they are available, just waiting to be plucked and shown the tracks. Ends