16 Oct 2024

The resurrection of sports in schools has proven to be very effective in grooming future sportsmen and women in this country.

Minister of Youth, Sport, Gender and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare revealed this during his visit to Nyangabgwe Primary School in Francistown.

Rakgare was checking the progress of the recently launched Matlhagolatsela initiative, which aims to revive sports in schools after a five-year pause.

He noted that he was impressed with the schools’ progress, considering it has been three weeks since the initial launch.

The minister urged parents to encourage their children to join sport, as this could be their way to a better future and discover their God-given talent.

Rakgare said sport keeps the brain engaged, which can be used for relaxation and overcoming the stress of academic pressure in learners.He promised to solve the equipment shortage so that the lack of necessary materials would not interfere with sporting activities.

When addressing the issue of student pick-up times, Rakgare advised the school management to relay the message of time changes to the parents-teachers association  so that parents are notified of the current changes.

He added that though negotiating with teachers’ unions on sport arrangements was challenging, he is happy that sport is now back in schools.

Earlier, when giving the minister an update, a senior teacher of Sport at Nyangabgwe Primary School, Modisaotsile Mokgosi said they resumed sport three weeks ago, and the students turnout was very impressive.

He said that although there are some challenges like a lack of equipment and play grounds that still need to be improved, they are working with what they have to ensure the programme works.

 Mokgosi added that the programme of events and competitions also needs to be clear so that they know the schedule they are working with.

Also, he stated that the school programme has changed to accommodate sport, and parents need to be informed so that they do not pick their children up while they are still in training, as this affects their progress.

He added that despite hiccups, children are so impressed with the return of sport to their schools. Mokgosi said they have volleyball, netball, football, and athletics, with nine coaches to ensure everything is in order.

For his part, Botswana National Sports Commission chairperson Marumo Morule said if parents and teachers are willing to revive sports, then the rest, like equipment, will be available to make training easier.

He urged parents to strive to raise better, well-disciplined leaders, adding that sport is one of the disciplinary forces.

 Morule added that when well utilised, sport can turn into a talent that children can use to avoid ill behaviour and as a personal empowerment tool.

He said they were impressed with the human resources schools offer to ensure sport is revived. Ends