12 Feb 2014

Botswana was abuzz with anticipation on Tuesday, February 11, as the 100 days countdown to the second Africa Youth Games was launched.

A motorcade led by a bus branded Gaborone 2014 drove through the city to drum up support. The motorcade stopped at key public areas such as malls, the National Stadium and the Three Dikgosi monument.

When launching the countdown, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Shaw Kgathi said Gaborone 2014 would present an opportunity for the youth in Botswana and Africa to introspect and enjoy unity in diversity, peace and harmony through sport.

“Through the games we are also providing a great platform for our young who are future leaders of our continent to cultivate mutual respect for others and the world we live in,” he said.

Kgathi urged Batswana to share their unique and proud heritage with the guests from Africa and other continents. He called on governmental departments, the private sector, the media and all other stakeholders to unite and play their part in ensuring that the games were a resounding success.

He further revealed that they were expecting thousands of young people to flock into Botswana, which on its own was a great travelling experience in which they would meet with their age mates from other African countries.

“The games are a way of developing and investing in young people, therefore we need other young people who will not be participating to go to the stadium and cheer their friends,” he said.

After the launch of the countdown, primary school pupils led the motorcade to the Gaborone bus rank and station, creating a massive hype and rallying other young people to join the countdown to Gaborone 2014, 2ND Africa Youth Games. ENDS