06 Jul 2021

Team Botswana yesterday left for Tokyo, Japan for the Olympic Games set for July 23-August 8.

The team is made up of four sporting codes and three being, athletics, weightlifting and swimming left yesterday, while boxing team will leave today.

The boxing team will pass through Russia for a final training camp before jetting off to Tokyo for the games.

Speaking during a farewell ceremony attended by officials from Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC),

Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) and other stakeholders in Gaborone yesterday,  Minister Tumiso Rakgare commended the athletes and all who were involved in ensuring that the team persevered and emerged victorious against all the challenges.

“It is without doubt, a great moment of triumph and celebration, given that for many months, we kept wondering whether or not this day would ultimately arrive,” he said.

He said the likelihood of cancelling the games was the biggest source of distress to athletes, given the time invested over the years preparing for the games.

COVID-19, he said had affected human population across the globe especially that athletes relied on sport as their source of livelihood.

Rakgare also highlighted that government had spent about P33.3m on the team over the last three years.

He said an additional P7.5m would be spent on the team until the end of the games in August.

He said each athlete would be rewarded a once-off qualification of P25 000 while coaches and their assistants would receive P10 000 each.

As such, he implored the team to remain focused and be mindful of the fact that they were representatives for themselves, their families and the entire nation.

For his part BNOC Local Organising Committee chairperson, Moses Moruisi thanked government for availing funds adding that it was a more expensive exercise preparing for the games adding that with the postponement of the games, it meant another year of preparations.

He also acknowledged all those who assisted in the team preparations for the Olympics.

The chairperson urged all Batswana to emulate the example that was set out by the team sponsors and cheer the team until the finishing line.

“It will take the concerted efforts of all Batswana and companies alike pulling together towards helping our athletes achieve success,” he added.

Furthermore, Moruisi encouraged the team to make Batswana proud.

BNSC chairperson, Marumo Morule also thanked government, sponsors and all those who took part in preparing the team for the Olympics. Morule, who wished the team a pleasant journey to the Olympics,  reminded them that good ethical behaviour could take them far. ENDS