07 Aug 2024

 Gloria Majaga and Edwin Masuge, who will be representing the country at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games have been urged to compete with honour and integrity but most of all, to focus on  enjoying the moment. 

The two athletes will compete in the T13 (400m) in a competition slated to commence on August 28 and conclude on September 8. 

Speaking at the send-off ceremony in Gaborone on Sunday, the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) Board chairperson Marumo Morule said the athletes have shown what it means to strive for excellence. 

“You have trained tirelessly, pushing yourselves beyond limits and making countless sacrifices. As you go onto the field track, remember that you carry with you the hopes and pride of all of us.  You are not just representing yourselves, but your families, your coaches and Botswana,” he said. 

Morule said the Paralympics were more than a competition, adding that they were the pinnacle platform, and it was every athlete’s dream to participate in them. 

 “They are a celebration of human strength and the indomitable will to succeed. They remind us that our differences are not limitations but unique strengths that contribute to collective greatness,” he said. 

He said Majaga and Masuge carried with them the dreams and aspirations of a nation that stands united in support and pride. 

Additionally, Morule encouraged the athletes to stay focused knowing that the nation was behind them, as they believed in their abilities. 

He reminded them to remember that every game, race and competition was an opportunity to showcase their athletic prowess and the spirit of unity, courage and determination. 

Morule said government must be applauded for being an enabler, by first providing athletes access to sound facilities for training in order to excel at such competitions. 

He also recognised Debswana for their partnership in developing and promoting sport. 

Debswana Deputy Managing Director, Koolatotse Koolatotse, said the send-off ceremony was meant to celebrate and give due recognition to great para athletes as they compete on the biggest sporting stage in the world.

“At Debswana we remain wholly committed to the inclusion of differently abled persons, which is in line with our diversity, equity and inclusion agenda and our building forever strategy,” said Koolatotse. 

He said their  commitment was to avail opportunities for differently abled persons with a target to achieve a 4.5 per cent  of their representation in Debswana by 2028 across the various differently abled categories. 

Koolatotse said as at July 2024, Debswana had employed 119 differently abled persons in different vocations across all categories of disabilities, a significant increase from 29 at the end of 2022. 

He said over the years, Debswana had made some notable contributions to the lives of persons with disabilities. 

One such contributions was in April 2023, where the company hosted the inaugural General Manager’s Paralympic Games in Jwaneng.

 Focusing on the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Koolatotse said Debswana had invested in seeing Batswana para athletes going through to the Olympics. 

The Deputy Managing Director said Debswana had committed the sum of over P350 000 to assist the Paralympics team on their travel to Paris, France, for the Paralympic Games. 

“I am proud to say that Debswana has committed just over P1 million to the Paralympic Association of Botswana over the past year, to encourage sports development and participation for differently abled athletes,” he said. 

He said the athletes’ would be accompanied by two Debswana officials, who would provide first hand support to the Paralympics team and return with insights, which would inform the company’s strategy moving forward. He was hopeful that the athletes would do their best on the world stage. 

“Continue to challenge and change perceptions and stereotypes through your determination and success. 

Wear your blue, black and white colours with pride knowing that the nation at large is behind you, no matter the outcome. Aim for a podium finish, we know that you can do it,” said Koolatotse. Ends