Minister vows to clean athletics, football 'mess'
Mqondisi Dube | Monday June 2, 2025 09:59
This comes after three key members of the 4x400m relay team, Letsile Tebogo, Collen Kebinatshipi, and Bayapo Ndori dumped the national team ahead of the World Relays held in China this month. The athletes cited welfare issue as the main reason for their action. In football, there was a near-boycott when the Zebras faced Algeria in a World Cup qualifier in March over welfare and allowance matters. Speaking to MmegiSport, Kelebeng said they are doing their all to address the issues and has already had discussions with the athletes. 'I spoke to them. We had to wait for the event (World Relays) to pass. It was not about payments, but more to do with their welfare. They are concerned that they are not getting the attention they deserve when it comes to preparations. Payments also come late. We promised that we are going to improve our communication, ' Kelebeng said.
He said the government is compelled to intervene to protect athletics, by miles the best performing code. 'It is in athletics where we do well. We ask, what can we do to improve their performance? What can we do in terms of how we do our things? I spoke to the boys when we were in China, but some were already taking part in their respective races. I managed to speak to their (Olympics) captain (Boitumelo) Masilo,' he said. 'We are still with the entire team, but I know their problems and internally we are working towards addressing that. We need to achieve a common goal. It is not about who is right or who is wrong,' Kelebeng added. He said the aim is to improve athletics and guard against any impediments. 'We must never allow such incidents to repeat again as they destabilise. We are hosting the World Relays next year as well as the Grand Prix again. We need to protect our record,' Kelebeng said. He said it is key to continually meet the athletes to show appreciation. Regarding the Zebras matter, Kelebeng said he has been in touch with the football authorities. Zebras captain Thatayaone Ditlokwe said issues that emanated from the March FIFA break had not been addressed. 'The issue has not been resolved to our satisfaction. But I have handed it to FUB (Footballers Union of Botswana) so they deal with it because I wanted to focus this side (Libya),' Ditlhokwe told MmegiSport recently. Minister Kelebeng said to address most issues facing sport bodies, he will arrange a meeting. 'What I am going to do, very soon, I am going to meet representatives of all sport association. We need to address all welfare issues,' Kelebeng said.
'We want these associations to be professional, manage things well and not damage the confidence that the private sector has. I am going to talk to these associations very soon. We are addressing all the problems and I hope once we meet with the associations, they will understand the vision that we have for our sport,' he said Kelebeng also promised that school sport will return soon, as grassroots development is critical. 'From school sport to elite sport, we will need coordination. School sport is on the way, we will have school sport and we will have school development programmes. We will announce these very soon,' Kelebeng said.