11 Aug 2024

Botswana athlete, Letsile Tebogo’s triumph at the Olympic Games in Paris, France, winning the first ever gold medal for the country and Africa in 200m race, on Thursday, has not only gained him praises from the public but also Members of Parliament.

After a statement delivered by Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Honourable Tumiso Rakgare on Friday, MPs took turns to celebrate the Olympic Games 200m champion for his historic exploits.

Though they applauded Botswana’s achievement, some legislators were of the view that such indicated that there was need to do more to unearth similar talent at an early age.

Selebi Phikwe West legislator, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse  said it was time that government considered to take sport back to schools.

“This will help to unearth more talents like Tebogo” he said. He also urged the private sector to assist in sport development in the country.

Further, he advised that in celebrating him, the nation should also celebrate other athletes who were also doing their best at the Olympic Games.

Ngami MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama said Tebogo’s success was not only for Botswana, but the for the African continent.

That, he said was because it was for the first time in the history of the Olympics that an African athlete had won gold in the 200m.

Mr Hikuama said the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) also congratulated Tebogo and wished him more success in the future.

“He has become our ambassador and his success is something that everyone would want be associated with,” he said.

He also said success in sport required disciple and hard work among others, some attributes he said Tebogo had displayed.

Kgalagadi South legislator, Mr Sam Brooks urged government to seek ways to reach deeper areas like his constituency in pursuit of unearthing and developing talent.

“Government needs to do more than it has been doing in reaching these areas. We need to be aggressive in developing athletics as we have done with football,” he said. He also suggested that athletics should be included in the constituency tournament.

Kanye South MP, Dr Lemogang Kwape appreciated Tebogo’s parents for his proper upbringing. Dr Kwape also pleaded with government to consider rewarding his coach and the technical team as they equally played their part in the athlete’s success.

Other legislators also praised Tebogo and urged government to build more sporting facilities across the country as a way of promoting sport development.

In his response, Honourable Rakgare appreciated legislators for being united across the political divide in appreciating Letsile’s exploits.

“It is only right that Tebogo’s coach should also be rewarded as suggested,” he said. ENDS