Nkobolo dreams of walking again
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday February 7, 2022 16:00
After the unfortunate incident, Nkobolo was left wheelchair bound. But now there is light at the end of the tunnel. Nkobolo is jetting off to New Delhi, India today for medical attention.
He will be at the facility for six weeks. The athlete will be accompanied by his brother. A send off ceremony was held for the athlete on Friday at the National Stadium. Nkobolo could not hide his excitement about being given a second chance at walking. “I would like to thank my family, Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) for being supportive, Mma Kenosi, Mma Sebego for being there and Tapiwa Marobela since day one. I do appreciate the support you gave me. Stakeholders Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA). Even though we were fighting here and there. But we found a solution. Hoping that the rehabilitation would work,” he said.
Nkobolo told Sport Monitor on the sidelines that he was glad that things were looking up for him. He said his wish is just to get off the wheelchair and walk. ‘Tolly’, as affectionately called by his legion of fans, won two medals at the 2015 All Africa Games. He has also reached the Olympics Games finals. Nkobolo was in the Rio 2016 men’s 4x400m relay team. He was also part of the 4x400m men’s relay team that scooped a gold medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
For her part, BNSC Board chairperson, Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego said for the two years, she has been paying attention to Nkobolo’s bravery. “I, today wish to celebrate and commend him for the positivity he continues to radiate in what is obviously a really painful situation for him and his family,” she said. Lebotse-Sebego paid tribute to the behind the scenes work by BNSC, MVA Fund, Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) and Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC). BAA president, Paphane Botlhale said they know what Nkobolo went through. “I saw you the first day after the accident. I know how far you have come. We see the improvement.
You are strong, you accepted what happened and that is why you are here today. MVA Fund has been here since day one. All that is happening involves a lot of effort since day one,” Botlhale said.