27 Mar 2022

 People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) can compete in all sporting codes not just athletics.

Speaking on the sidelines of Paralympic Association of Botswana (PASSOBO) general assembly on Friday, the organisation public relations officer, Lesley Baleseng said there was need to turn a corner and ensure PLWDs participated in all sporting codes.

He said PASSOBO had stamped its authority in virtual impaired athletics category, but observation had been that more emphasis was on track whereas field events such as shot-put, long jump, high jump, and javelin were neglected.

“That has to change and people living with disabilities should be in a position to play all sporting codes,” he said.

Also, Baleseng noted that it was disappointing that Botswana, at all times, managed to send athletes at the Paralympics to compete only in athletics, adding that time was now to field more codes as that could increase the countries chance of winning more medals.

PASSOBO mandate, he said was to coordinate sport with disabilities in Botswana and it would ensure that they ignited the interest in all codes.

Furthermore, he said all the sporting codes had a modification to be inclusive towards disabilities.

Baleseng said it was important for PLWD to enjoy all the benefits that came with active participation in sports such as social development, fitness and mental wellbeing.

Asked why PASSOBO had been focusing on athletics alone, he said that could had been influenced by the fact that athletics was the biggest code in Botswana.

Furthermore, he said it was of paramount importance that when they budget, they should be cognizant of special equipment such as wheelchairs. ENDS