06 Nov 2013

The 200 days countdown to the Gaborone 2014 African Youth Games officially stared Tuesday, November 5 as the games organising committee gave an update on the preparations for the continental event.

The games' chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho said 51 countries had already signed participation agreements, with only Cape Verde, Libya and South Sudan yet to confirm. Serufho said 20 sport codes would be available. Venues will include the National Stadium, University of Botswana (UB) stadium, Otse Police College, Ditshupo hall, Botswana Netball Association Courts and Molepolole IHS, among others.

He said the 2 500 athletes along with 1 000 coaches and team officials would be accommodated at UB. He further highlighted that they would host a chefs de mission’s seminar in Gaborone in December to engage representatives from each country that would be participating at the games. Serufho said they had received international support from US Olympic Committee who provided a consultant, and the German Olympic Committee which would help with transport logistics.

The Games Organising Committee chairperson, Regina Sikalesele-Vaka said the continental showpiece should be taken seriously as it would be the biggest event that Botswana ever hosted. She said the games belonged to Botswana as a nation, Africa as a continent and the Olympic movement who founded the games. The chairperson said Batswana should not lose sight as the games would promote and position the country as a global player.

Vaka-Sikalesele said traditionally bids were awarded three to four years before the games in order to prepare which she said was not the case with Botswana as they had prepared for the event before being awarded the bid. She thanked government for building sufficient infrastructure to host the games and further sponsor sporting codes.

“I invite every Motswana to play a role in the games because these games belong to every one of us and we should be proud to host them,” she said. Therefore, she said, all members of the public should maximise this opportunity, unite and practice the spirit of Botho which Batswana are best known for. The chairperson further invited sponsors to come on board and offer any kind of assistance as they was still a deficit in their budget. ENDS