15 Dec 2022

Sport bounced back this year after a devastating era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several sporting activities were halted during this period, but they gradually returned to play in 2022  following relaxing of health regulations.

And different sporting disciplines made mark locally, regionally and internationally.

Top on the list was Letsile Tebogo’s 9.91 mark in 100m, registering the new World Under 20 record.

This appeased Batswana after the youngster’s 9.96 record during Gaborone International Meet was not ratified.

Still on athletics, Botswana scored a first as Gaborone International Meet (GIM), Glody Dube’s brainchild, was elevated from bronze to golden status to be called Botswana Golden Grand Prix.

 The elevation came after successful execution of the May in Gaborone.

Again on the athletics front, Debswana pledged support to Botswana Athletics Association with a P9 million sponsorship spread over a three year period.

Athletics witnessed national records smashed- 400m broken twice; first by Kemorena Tisang erasing a decade long 50.88 to set 49.96, then Victor Ntweng went on to make it 49.80.

Track and field saw women’s shot put record broken twice by Kelebogile Ambrose’s 10.77m and 10.86, while in men’s triple jump Thalosang Tshireletso broke a two decades record by Gxable Garenamotse in 1999, to set it at 16.77m

 Another success story was a 60m record by the only Botswana athlete at the World Indoors Stephen Abosi, who registered 6.68 and 6.62.

Despite this success, the country suffered a blow as medal triple jumper, Tlhalosang Tshireletso and 800m runner, Nijel Amos were suspended from World Championships after failing doping tests.

On another hand, professional boxing via Scud Missile Promotions, had its own share of glory as Steven Bagwasi aka Small won the World Boxing Federation Junior Featherweight Championship after defeating Said Chino of Tanzania.

Following his win, Bagwasi was set to fight against Mexican Marcio Soza on December, but it was later postponed to 2023.

Female boxers continued to make a mark in boxing rings as Keamogetse Kenosi defended her continental title in women’s 57kg after trouncing DRC’s Sakobi Marcelet during ABFC Men and Women championship in Mozambique.

Meanwhile, the senior women national football team, The Mares, despite its maiden appearance at the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) left many in a frenzy by reaching the quarter finals of the tournament.

And the senior netball national team Dinaledi ended the year on a high note by winning the 2022 Singapore Nations Cup.

However, the sport fraternity had some sad moments as Orapa United and Zebras lost a player, Lesenya Ramoraka, due to road accident.

The year also saw the death of former Zebras legend and Gunners’ defender, Odirile ‘OD’ Sengwaketse, Mexican Girls FC also lost 15-year-old Lebogang Pitso after collapsing during training session.

Botswana Softball Association had it tough losing their first president and Vikings Softball Club founder Andrew Mokoto alias The Godfather of Botswana softball.

He served in several committees such as BNSC and BNOC.

 As if that was not enough the fraternity went on to lose a former national team player, administrator and Botswana’s Ambassador to China Bruce Palai. ENDs