14 Dec 2023

Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) senior vice president, Tshepo Sitale has informed athletes that their careers require them not only to be physically fit to compete, but holistically developed to face life after retirement.

Speaking at the National Athletes Forum 2023 on Wednesday, Sitale said it was of paramount importance for athletes to always set themselves up for success in various aspects of their lives as covered in the topics during the forum.

He said an athlete’s career can be very short due to various reasons and when they are still active, they have to make the most of their resources; including time, financial and even the human resource support from governing bodies.

Sitale said the olympic movement has athletes at the centre of its existence, hence BNOC does the same by offering unwavering support to the commission that was formed mainly to ensure that the voice of the athletes was heard at every national and international fora.

“My wish is that your presence here in one place with experts is not just a learning opportunity from them, but that you leave this place with something practical; that this gathering will be a reference point in life,” he said.

Anti-Doping Coordination Office’s representative, Ntebogang Khubamang said there were a lot of challenges relating to doping issues.

She said for its small population, Botswana had registered a lot of positive cases, adding that in 2023 alone there were 10 cases.

Khubamang said that indicated a gap, which was also caused by the athletes, because her office always organises sessions for the athletes, which the intended beneficiaries do not attend.

“When we call you for educational sessions or testing, we always meet challenges from you. In a nutshell you don’t cooperate,” she said. ENDS