The greatest betrayal
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday April 5, 2022 06:00
Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho can’t remember such a bizarre arrangement for a Botswana athlete since the protectorate was granted independence in 1966. This means no Botswana athlete has used his pace to run as an independent. But Amos was prepared to do it. Apparently he was left furious after his request for an Olympics scholarship was tossed out as the Solidarity Committee told the Marobela born star runner that it was other people’s turn.
Toys went out of the pram as Nijel felt he was deserving of another chance. Nijel is a massive brand, he is not some Johnny-come-lately or some wet behind the ear athlete still trying to fit into his spike or learning how to use a starter block. He has flown across oceans to represent Botswana, and rescued a disconsolate nation at the London 2012 Olympic Games. For that the country will forever be indebted to him. Botswana knows its first ever medal at the Olympics thanks to Nijel.
That is no mean achievement. However, the athlete has flattered to deceive in subsequent Olympics competitions. In fact he has been underwhelming, which could justify the Olympic Solidarity committee’s decision to look the other way when Nijel put in a request for further funding. He has been funded in the last two four year cycles and he felt he deserved more. Due to his status, Nijel was given an audience with the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare. Rakgare wanted to wipe Nijel’s tears a manouvre that also works in the minister’s favour.
We are not privy to the discussions or outcome of that meeting, or whether Nijel will still go ahead with his threat to run as a ‘mokoko’. Or was it just an arm twisting ploy to get the authorities to act? But if Nijel is to be given his wish, then from the chosen athletes, who will make way and why? Nijel deserves what he is asking for, but looking at his performance since the 2012 Olympic Games, his output has been on the decline (at the Olympics that is).
Before every Olympic competition since 2012, he goes in as the favourite only to leave a trail of shattered hearts as he has failed to add to his 2012 silver medal.
If the basis of that scholarship is solely on potential and possibly, a good performance at the Olympics, you will feel there is reasonable justification to give others a chance. I take it that Nijel was not snubbed, but only that the committee wanted to give others a chance; a much more mild way of rejecting someone, isn’t it? Nijel should not despair but should instead serve his critics and doubters humble pie at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Age is slowly slipping away as he will be 30 when he competes in Paris; probably another consideration from the scholarship adjudicators. But whatever has happened, it would be the greatest betrayal for Nijel or the country, to dump the other. Both parties still need each other.