14 Dec 2022

World Athletics representative, Robert Wagner, has applauded Botswana government for supporting athletics.

In an interview, Wagner said government had shown support to the Botswana Golden Grand Prix scheduled for Gaborone next year.

This, he said, was a clear indication that the country had prioritised athletics development.

Speaking during a press conference in Gaborone, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport, and Culture, Kitso Kemoen said it was now common course that Botswana was fast gaining global fame for excellence in athletics particularly track events.

He said despite challenges, the country continued to perform well.

“We cannot continue to look at athletics just as another sport. The recent soothing performances at the AUSC Region 5 Games in Malawi against the backlog of no sport in schools is a clear demonstration of what we are sitting on as a country,” he said.

Kemoen said while some of the good results were a product of good coaching, some of the cases were illustration of talent waiting to be tapped.

“They are like minerals on the ground waiting to be picked, a demonstration of what we stand to gain should we dig down the ground. Such low hanging fruits should be exploited. Without interfering, government is looking at closely engaging with the relevant stakeholders to take this vision to reality as part of the general sports development efforts that are being pursued through the existing structures,” he said.

On other issues, Kemoeng thanked World Athletics for awarding Botswana the rights to host a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event, adding in that regard he would like to assure the organisation that the country would do its best to host a world class event.

Government, through the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, he said was committed to making the event a success.

Kemoen  said to show commitment, his ministry had since availed an officer at the level of director to head the local organising committee.

“We are working closely with the Botswana National Sport Commission and Botswana Athletics Association to make sure that the event receives as much support as it needs within the prevailing financial situation. At the right moment, government will announce its financial contribution to the event,” he said. ENDs