18 Jul 2022

Sports tourism is one of the fastest growing sub-sectors in tourism that can contribute significantly to the country’s economy, says Mmathethe-Molapowabojang MP, Dr Edwin Dikoloti.

 Speaking on the sidelines of the dog and horse races dubbed Dr Dikoloti Classics in Segwaragwara, near Lorolwane on Saturday, Dr Dikoloti said such events created a platform for businesses to market themselves and an opportunity for locals to rake in income and also network.

“More tourists nowadays are interested in sport activities during their travel. As a result, sport tourism is turning to be a big business as it provides economic benefits to host destinations,” he said.

He said sports tourism was leisure-based travel that took individuals temporarily outside of their home communities, something which people were always eager to do.

Speaking at the same occasion Botswana Horse Racing Association president, Timon Kelebeng said horse racing in developed countries was one of the major contributors to the economy and it was therefore imperative to emulate them to ensure that horse racing reached professional level.

Botswana Greyhound Association’s spokesperson, Mpho Mmono said dogs were not used only on farms but rather for various purposes ranging from security and protection of livestock against predators as well as in sport. He, therefore, challenged Batswana to change their mindset to appreciate dog rearing as a business.

The dog and horse race was sponsored at the tune of over P300 000.  The grand horse race was won by Oteng Vissagie of Takatokwane whose horse, Call me 1 Tonight was no match and pocketed P30 000.

Second position in the grand race went to Timon and Josephine Kelebeng of TT Horse Racing Stable from Motokwe with their horse Air Force one wining P20 000.

Still in the same category, Gatlhophemang Alone from Takatokwane was P15 000 richer after getting position three, with his horse Brave Tiger.  

In the dog race under the pure speed open females’ category Lassie of Falcon Greyhounds settled for position one while High Five of Abel Kennels won the open males-pure speed.

As for the open crosses category Crossbow of Matlhalerwa Greyhounds emerged victorious while under 18 crosses was won by Miley of Van Zyl Kennels. BOPA