18 Dec 2023

Horse racing events provide abundant value chain opportunities and have potential to grow tourism.

Minister of Environment and Tourism, Philda Kereng shared the sentiments at Motokwe champions’ horse racing on December 16.

She said arts and crafts derived from or portraying horse racing industry were some value chain businesses that could market the horse racing industry and improve the livelihood of local communities.

Kereng said there was an opportunity in using traditional knowledge as well as establishing camp sites and accommodation facilities.

She said activities such as horse racing could be instrumental in unearthing the beauty of the area and growing its tourism potential.

The minister hailed the organisers, TT Horse Racing for investing in horse racing, saying their product was not only beneficial to tourism but it was also important in employment creation and subsequently helped people to fend for their families.

Kereng said horse racing complemented local economic framework, adding that the dream was to see the horse racing industry matching world class standards.

She challenged Botswana Gambling Authority, which was one of the sponsors, to organise a benchmarking exercise with the best world counterparts, citing Dubai as one such destination.

Botswana Gambling Authority, chief executive officer, Peter Kesitilwe said that horse racing had great potential and if developed in Botswana, there was bound to be great economic returns to Batswana in general. 

Kesitilwe said as Botswana desired to develop the horse racing industry in the traditional race courses, it would be able to create employment.

He cited that currently, the horse racing industry in South Africa employed approximately 2 452 people.

Kesitilwe said it was evident that horse racing was a form of travel adventure as people had a tendency of travelling to areas where they did not normally reside to attend horse racing.

“The horse racing market size is valued at USD402.3 billion industry worldwide and this amount is expected to increase to USD793.9 billion in 2030,” he said and hoped that Botswana would contribute immensely to this increase.

He said horse racing and other racing events were regulated under the Gambling Act 2012 and its Regulations and currently the authority had commenced implementation of its Licensing Plan.  Kesitilwe said horse racing served as a form of entertainment for many Batswana, noting that is at such events where betting is normally offered.

Letlhakeng District Council chairperson, Anderson Mathiba promised that the council would fully support horse racing and would ask his fellow colleagues to dedicate a portion of the council budget to the initiative.

In addition, he said he wanted a portion of the Constituency Community Project budget to be used to fence Motokwe horse racing ground, a proposal, which was supported by the Area MP, Tshoganetso Leuwe.

For his part, Timon Kelebeng of TT Horse Racing and Botswana Horse Racing Association president who was the host, said Motokwe horse racing started in 2018 and launched 2019 with the aim of diversifying the local economy.

He said the event was a tourism event captured in the Botswana Tourism Organisation calendar of events.

Kelebeng called on the government to formalize horse racing in the country as it had potential to tackle unemployment, especially amongst the youth.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Aobakwe Moleboge of Motokwe said for horse racing to be commercial and elite, it needed community and leadership support. Gothophemang Alone’s horse ‘Silver Sky’ pocketed P15 000 after scooping first position in the 2400m race, while Kelebeng’s ‘Western Bypass’ and ‘Secretary General’ scooped second and third securing P7 000 and P5 000 respectively.  ENDS