11 Jun 2023

A team of 36 athletes will represent Botswana at the Special Olympics in Berlin, Germany scheduled to start on June 17.

The team, which left for the games yesterday,  will participate in volleyball, athletics and botch ball.

Speaking at the team send-off ceremony in Gaborone on Saturday, Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) board member, Dr Khaulani Fichani, said over the years, the Special Olympics team represented the country well.

Therefore, he expressed confidentce that the current team would do likewise.

Dr Fichani said though hampered by disability, the athletes had the power to exploit their potential and ultimately prove that disability was not inability.

“It is critical for the athletes to go there to network, have fun, explore their potential and most importantly compete and emerge victorious,” he said.

He further said their participation in sports would go a long way in training them to engage in physical activities that could add value to their health and improve their interaction with society.

Dr Fichani also applauded the team management for making it possible to select a formidable team even though the school sport was inactive.

Special Olympics board chairperson, Tebogo Mangadi, was optimistic that the team would bring positive results.

Mangadi said the Olympic movement was concerned about  the welfare of people with disabilities as well as their participation in sports.

She, therefore, called on all to help such athletes explore their potential by participating in sport and teaching the community to value and relate with people with disabilities.

Mangadi noted that over the years, all athletes that were rewarded for their good performance invested their remuneration mostly in property as a way of preparing for their future.

Special Olympics National Executive Committee chairperson, Deklerk Othusitse said for those who would not win, they must remain focused since they were brave in their attempts.

One of the coaches, Ramokate Ramokate said the team had prepared well and was ready to win medals.

Ramokate said the team was targeting 12 medals.  ENDS