11 Sep 2022

Aerobics fanatics from across Botswana descended in Maun on Saturday for an aerobics festival.

The festival kick started with a five-kilometre walk from the village centre to Maun Old-bridge, which is an iconic tourist spot.

The festival attracted 250 participants who tested their mettle under a variety of styles from high low, step, box, cool down and strength and boot camp.

Jwaneng Aerobics Club’s Olebogeng Josiah was crowned the best in step and best box-man, Mpho Balopi of Gaborone Aerobics Club won the best in high-low women, while Binang Masimege of Selebi Phikwe Fitness Club won modern school box award-women.

In other categories, Maun’s  Gabantebale Ramatlapeng was crowned best in step- women, Tebogo Papiso from Letlhakane won best high-low in the women’s category.

Okavango Research Institute director, Professor Joseph Mbaiwa, who was the chief walker stated that fitness cultivated productivity at work and even at home.

He thanked all participants who came to Maun, adding the festival was unique having incorporated sport and tourism.

“Events as this are one of a kind because we started with a walk to Old bridge in the morning then aerobics.

The day culminated with a boat cruise for participants and we have never seen such a festival in Maun,” he said.

Mbaiwa told the participants that fitness and lifestyle complemented each another as one had to maintain a healthy lifestyle even when they exercised.

He further commended the organisers of the aerobics festival, Tatiana Fitness Club, for arranging a sport- tourism fiesta.

Tatiana Fitness Club owner, Lado Tshenolo, said the festival was a success in that it had attracted masses from Gaborone, Francistown, Jwaneng, Letlhakane, Selebi Phikwe, Rakops, Thebephatshwa, Ghanzi, Palapye and Orapa.

He highlighted that Maun aerobics festival was the first in the village, adding that going forward the club would host the festival annually.

Tshenolo said Maun, being a prime tourism area, called for unique ideas from all sectors of economy including sport to incorporate tourism in their concepts to take advantage of business opportunities presented by the village.

He said the event injected cash into the hospitality industry as participants booked at hotels and lodges, adding the transport sector also benefited as some hired public transport to drive them around.

He further stated that the boat cruise for participants contributed to small business boat operators at the popular Matapana beach.

He dismissed beliefs that people took aerobics as just a routine where people dance explaining that aerobics were a fitness routine that challenged one to exercise their whole body with a rhythm of music. ENDS