02 Dec 2021

Botswana has been commended for assembling a team that will participate in the Commonwealth Games to be held next year at Birmingham, England.

British High Commissioner to Botswana, Sian Price said this during a send-off of the Queens’ Baton relay ceremony at Batawana main kgotla on Wednesday.

Price described sport as an excellent tool that could promote diversity and inclusion when used effectively.

Sport, she said, could bring people together, no matter where they came from, hence the Queens’ Baton Relay, which aimed to unite the Commonwealth family through sport and culture.

In addition, she hailed the Maun community for welcoming the baton in a special way on November 29, citing activities ranging from traditional dance, storytelling of the history of the communities, motorcade, as well as a warm reception by the village leadership.

Also present at the colourful event were some of Botswana’s 400-metre runners in the likes of Leungo Scotch, Karabo Sibanda, Anthony Pasela, Bayapo Ndori and Coach Meleko Ndolo and Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane.

North West acting youth coordinator, Baatlhodi Mokowe appreciated the Queen’s Baton arrival in Maun, saying it signified a Commonwealth Games tradition aimed at celebrating the diversity that was found across the 72 Commonwealth nations.

The baton, he said, showed the ability of sport to bring together people of all races, genders and ages across the globe.

“This Queen’s baton should be seen to symbolise more than solidarity in sport.
It should be seen to transcend sport and symbolise the much needed solidarity across humanity as we strive towards achieving a better tomorrow and improved future,” he added.

Mokowe further revealed that with the Queen’s baton having made it to Maun, the nation must take that opportunity to raise it as a beacon of strength and hope, demonstrating that they had successfully managed to traverse the dark times of COVID-19 scourge.

He acknowledged that sporting activities had been reinstated as well as public engagement and urged Batswana to rally behind the Commonwealth Games Association Botswana in assembling a team that would represent the country at the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth games.

The country’s goal, he said, was to see local athletes continuing their winning streak with respect to elite competition.

Mokowe also appreciated the government efforts towards sport development in a bid to encouraging youth to see it as a viable career path and opportunity to make something for themselves.

He cited the amazing feats of the country’s 4x400 metres men relay team and the 400 metre sensational, Amantle Montsho, saying all shall go down in the annals of history as momentous occasions in Botswana sport.

Earlier, Batawana regent, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi said the Queens’ Baton indeed signified the country’s commitment towards the Commonwealth Games and other nations across the globe.

She commended the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development for  finding it befitting to bring the iconic Queen’s Baton to Ngamiland and urged the community at large to join hands with the relevant authorities in preparing for the Commonwealth Games.

Kgosi Moremi underscored the need to support local athletes so that they excelled at the elite competition and hoisted the country’s flag high. She also congratulated sports men and women from the region who had become professional athletes and in the process making fortunes, expressing a wish that youngsters could follow suit.