24 Mar 2024

With 13 medals from the just ended 13^th African Games in Accra, Ghana Botswana National Olympic Committee acting chief executive officer, Tebogo Kesupile reckons it is a good performance.

Botswana won 13 medals; three silver and 10 bronze medals.

Kesupile said they did not field their top athletes such as Letsile Tebogo and instead introduced young and upcoming athletes.

She also said the Ghana games were used to prepare and qualify athletes for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Although not a single athlete qualified for the Olympics or won a gold medal, Kesupile said winning the medals should not be taken for granted as it took hardwork and determination.

She said the African Games also showed what needed to be done before the Olympics.

She mentioned the relay team that was beaten at the finishing line, saying the coaching staff now knew where to focus.

Kesupile also said the continental competition was a good exposure for the young and upcoming athletes and that they showed that they had talent.

Kesupile noted the feat of young athletes such as Ernest Kumevu, who is 18 and was the youngest in the 400m final. She said he had what it took to win medals for the country in future.

She also commended the performance of Tlhompang Basele and Obakeng Kamburuka, saying she had no doubt that they would become world class athletes.

She said there was need to ensure that the Olympic bound team was resourced on time so that they prepared well, adding that ‘we are not yet ready for the Paris Olympics’.

So far, Tebogo has qualified for the Olympic Games in three events, 100, 200 and 400 metres while Tshepiso Masalela and Kethobogile Haingura are in 800 metres. Leungo Scotch, Collen Kebinatshipi and Bayapo Ndori have qualified in the 400 metres. ENDS