30 Aug 2021

Parliament on Friday rejected a motion that sought to adjourn its proceedings to discuss a matter requesting government and the private sector to partner in rewarding the entire Botswana Tokyo 2020 Olympic team with houses as was the case with the 4x400m relay team which won bronze.

Presenting the motion, Gaborone Central MP, Mr Tumisang Mangwegape-Healy argued that it would have been proper to award the whole team with houses because each one of them played a significant ambassadorial role for the country amid challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said all athletes displayed equal commitment representing the country notwithstanding the results.

Reacting to the motion, legislators indicated that the motion was not urgent in that government and various stakeholders had already committed to rewarding the Olympic team.

Legislators also reiterated government’s continuous commitment towards improving the welfare of national team athletes.

They observed that never in the history of athletics that the entire team’s welfare had been so prioritised given the incentives it received prior to and post the Olympics Games. ENDS