29 Dec 2013

The Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe has acknowledged residents of the Mmadinare constituency and the rest of the country for taking part in the Mmadinare Christmas Marathon Race since its inception 24 years ago.

Speaking at the event on Christmas day, Dr Kedikilwe who is also Member of Parliament for Mmadinare said besides branding Mmadinare and surrounding villages, the race also promoted a healthy life style, togetherness, peace and joy among people on Christmas day.

 He said the Christmas race also aced as a tool that diverted people especially the youth from engaging in deviant behavior such as alcohol and drug abuse or criminal activities. He went on to explain that exercising through sport was a key component in one’s life because a healthy body hosted a healthy mind thus people should always take part in sport.

Dr Kedikilwe further said those who excelled in sports were given a stature in society and made a living out of it. He advised the youth to take Mmadinare Christmas race as a foundation to their breakthrough in sport.

The Vice President also acknowledged Save Rite as well as other businesses for playing a significant role in sponsoring and promoting the Mmadinare Christmas Race.

He thanked residents of the Mmadinare constituency, Botswana Athletics Association and all people who have been supporting the Mmadinare Christmas Race for the past 24 years for keeping the race alive up to date. He also acknowledged Mr Kabelo Binns who spearheaded the fundraising for this year’s Race where over P70 000 was accumulated.

He encouraged people to continue taking part in the race in future even when he is no longer a Member of Parliament for Mmadinare. He explained that in 2014 he will not be taking part in the election race for the Mmadinare constituency and this year’s marathon was his last as the area MP.

For his part, the Botswana Athletics Association President, Mr Thari Mooketsi expressed gratitude to Dr Kedikilwe and members of Mmadinare Christmas Race Organising committee for playing a role in the sport fraternity and for keeping the Mmadinare Christmas race alive for many years.

He said Mmadinare is first village in Botswana to host a sport of such magnitude where hundreds of athletes both young and old take part. He also said this year, Botswana’s top long distance race athletes participated in the Mmadinare Christmas Race which showed that the race has grown over the years.

He encouraged the Mmadinare Athletics Club to link up with the Botswana Athletics Association and requested the organization to set-up and register a cross country course in the village. He said that would make it possible for more long distance competitions to be held in Mmadinare in future.  

He said the BAA has continued to do well in promoting and encouraging people to take part in sport. He said sport can help diversify the economy of the country and also brand as well as market the country internationally. He said Botswana has produced top athletes such as Amantle Montsho and Nigel Amos among others who are recognized around the world. Currently, he said, Botswana has been ranked among the top 26 countries in the world.

Meanwhile, a representative from Debswana, Mr Barulaganyi Mogotsi thanked the Vice President for keeping the Mmadinare Christmas Race functional for many years.

He said without his help the race could have faded away. He explained that in order to make it possible to host the race annually, the VP has been moving around raising funds and requesting for donations so that the race could take place annually. 

Mr Mogotsi also acknowledged the ex-soldiers; Lt. Colonel Keinetse Maswabi, Mr Raphutshe, Mr Ramataba, Colonel Moseki who initiated the Mmadinare Christmas Race with the help of Vice President Kedikilwe while he was still Minister Commerce and Industry in 1989.

The Mmadinare Christmas Race was divided into four categories namely the 5km race for people aged 12yrs to 16 years, main 10km race for people aged between 17 and 34 years , the 5km Veterans race for those aged 35 years to 40 years  and the 2.5km masters race for people aged 50 years and above. The main 10 km race for male aged 17 to 34 years was won by Kaelo Mosalagae who clocked 31.39, followed by Sesebo Matlapeng registering 31.47 while Onkarabile Swimbo came in third by registering 32.07.

On the female side, Mena Tiango came in first registering 40.45, followed by Onkemetse Solotate with 41.20 while Mosu Badubi came in third by registering 42.20. Winners in the race took home P2 500, P1500 and P1000 respectively in both male and female races

In the five kilometer race for boys aged 12 to 16 years, Otshegeditse Ramantsi scooped the first position by registering 17.05, followed by Tshegofatso Lefakae who recorded 17.15, while Shadreck Uyapo came in third by clocking 17.30.

The girls’ race was won by Kenewang White followed by Khumo White while Tshepang Rankhi came in third. Winners in the boys and girls five kilometer race walked away with P2000, P1000 and P750 respectively. ENDS