19 Jul 2022

Sports is one of the fastest growing tourism sub-sectors that can contribute 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 for locals to 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.

For his part, Botswana Horse Racing Association president, Timon Kelebeng, said in developed countries, horse racing was one of the major contributors to the economy and it was, therefore, imperative to emulate them to ensure that the sportt reached professional level here.

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 pocketed P30 000.

Second position 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.  ENDS