27 Nov 2022

Wilson Theleso and Glenda Mokokwe are the latest Sports Hall of Fame inductees.

The two were inducted during the ninth induction ceremony in Gaborone on Thursday.

Theleso is a former athlete while Mokokwe is one of the first women referees in the premier league.

Their induction brings the total number of hall of famers to 34.

Theleso was a popular marathon runner and he competed at various major competitions.

He continued to serve sport even after his retirement.

He competed at the Helsinki IAAF world champions in 1983 while in 1984 he competed at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Theleso also participated at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games and finished 20th.

He is one of the pioneers of road running and marathons in Botswana.

As for Mokokwe, she started her refereeing career in 1998 and was the first woman referee in the country to officiate at the level of premier league and COSAFA.

Mokokwe is currently a CAF referee’s instructor, assessor and commissioner.

She trains young referees and conducts courses in Africa. She also evaluates referee’s performance during international games as a FIFA assessor. In the COSAFA region, she is a mentor, assessor and match commissioner.

Mokokwe’s first official international game was in August 2000 when she officiated a match between Lesotho and Zimbabwe and in 2003 she attended a FIFA women’s football symposium in the United States.

She received a vanguard women’s Leader of Botswana from the American Embassy in 2005 and in 2006 she attended the International Working Group (IWG) conference in Japan. She is also the founder of Glenda Moleofi Sport Trust.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, said it was not by default that the two were being honoured as they had distinguished themselves.

“I am confident that tonight does not mark the end to your contribution to Botswana sport, but that we shall continue to enjoy your wisdom, guidance and sacrifices for many more years to come,” he said.

Rakgare encouraged BNSC and Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) to continue to recognise and reward people who gave sports preference over many other valuable things in life.

The minister also said government recognised the potential of the sport industry in its efforts to diversify the economy and promote the country.  ENDS