A Big Thank You To Botswana Athletes!

The Monitor Editor | Tuesday August 10, 2021 06:00

Many have backtracked and are clapping the loudest just as they had tossed them aside! Well, we really need to change our attitudes towards each other! Other nations always support their own and motivate them to do better, whereas for us we are always on the extremely judgmental and dismissive route. We crush and criticise our own before they even start the competition.

We should perhaps take lessons from most countries, which are currently raking in medals in big international competitions. They are very supportive of their sportsmen and women. Of course, to succeed, Botswana as a country needs support not only from the general public but also from government. The biggest challenge is that our government does not seem to care much about sports, and only celebrates athletes when they win at international competitions.

Surprisingly enough, even if our athletes persistently end up qualifying to compete on the international stage through their determination only, our government will still drag its feet to offer even the smallest of incentives in order to motivate our athletes! We do not have resources, and it is not uncommon for our athletes to beg for sponsorship to travel and take part in international competitions, representing their own country by the way.

All this has to stop! Our government should take a lead and show appreciation for our athletes, and stop throwing empty and ambiguous promises that sometimes end up not materialising!

A very special thank you to our athletes for the courage to compete in such a big arena against all odds! Thank you Isaac Makwala, Bayapo Ndori, Zibane Ngozi and Baboloki Thebe for the Olympic Bronze! You have indeed hoisted our flag much higher and we are very proud of you! Another special thank you to all the athletes who competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, namely: Amantle Victor-Nkape Montsho, Nijel Amos, Leungo Scotch, Christine Botlogetswe, Rajab Mahommed, Keamogetse Kenosi, James Freeman and Magdeline Moyengwa! Kudos also goe to athletics coaches; Justice Dipeba and Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane. You all deserve a big round of applause and a super welcome for the strength, commitment and resilience you have shown by working hard to qualify for one of the toughest competitions in the world of sports. Bravo!