18 Sep 2024

North West District councillors have been implored to adopt a strategy that will support and cultivate athletes’ capabilities in the district. Speaking during the ongoing full council session on Monday, North West District Council chairperson, Itumeleng Kelebetseng said the council should play a meaningful role in sport development and growth of athletes.  Investing and supporting sport, he said could nurture and develop more talent in future.

 “I believe as local authority we have to somehow show support for the growth of our athletes and avoid waiting until they excelled in international stage to indicate that we care,” Kelebetseng said. 

He said sport had proven to be a well rewarding career and that it could help to improve lives as well as diversify the economy.

The council chairperson acknowledged that the district had proven over time that it was united citing that together with communities, they recently celebrated the arrival of Team Botswana from the Paris 2024 Olympics in which a total of six athletes were from the district.

“This is commendable and I implore you to continue supporting the growth of sport in the district by also supporting local clubs that are producing these elite athletes.”

He also recognised coach Dose Mosimanyane, who is from the area, for his oustanding contribution saying he had played a pivotal role in the development of many track and field athletes.

He said the success of the athletes were a testament of what could be achieved when investing in grassroots development.

He further emphasised the need for private sector to work hand in hand with government to ensure athletes had enough support to grow and compete.

He also appreciated the launching of Matlhagolatsela Sport Programme in the district saying the programme would unearth talent from grassroots level.  Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture through Botswana National Sport Commission had already rolled out the programme to both primary and junior secondary schools in the district and would provide training equipment for those schools that will be participating in the programme. Ends