Deaf Sport sends SOS after missing Deaflympics
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday November 17, 2025 06:00
Deaflympics is an international multi-sport event for deaf athletes held every four years, organised by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD). The event returns to its usual four-year cycle after the 2021 edition was postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
African countries will take part in the competition are Kenya, Namibia (debut) and South Africa.
Deaf Sport's attempt to seek funding to travel to Tokyo was squashed at the Ministry of Sport and Arts (MoSA), with government officials citing financial constraints.
“The department regrets to inform you that due to financial constraints, your request was not successful. The department commends your commitment to promoting Deaf athletes and providing them opportunities to compete internationally,” a letter signed by Tebogo Ntesang on behalf of the ministry's director reads.
BDSF chairperson, Shirley Keoagile, told MmegiSport that the situation is frustrating.
“It is like we are going backwards all the time. It is painful that our sports leaders are not learning from other countries regarding inclusion.
“Our leaders, by now, should be able to apply best practices that fully include persons with disabilities in sport and recreation. I wonder what we should do for leadership to understand us,” she bemoaned.
Keoagile said failing to travel to the Deaflympics is not about being broke but an indication that Deaf Sport is not part of government plans.
She said no matter how much they fight for recognition, attend workshops and conferences, it is not enough.
“BDSF was established for the main purpose of taking deaf athletes to the World Games and celebrating them,” Keoagile said.
“That remains a challenge, it is painful, and I am disappointed because it has been two years of planning for the 2025 Deaflympics. Unfortunately, nobody is listening, we are told that there is no money.”
She added that deaf athletes are isolated in Botswana. Keoagile said her attempt to advocate for deaf sport and how international structures work during her time as a member of the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) did not work.
“If you check how the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) operate, you will realise that we are missing out. At this stage, we should be having an independent BDSF; we should not be under Paralympic Association of Botswana (PASSOBO),” Keoagile said.
She added that Deaf Sport is an independent sporting body as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IPC, ICSD, and IOC.
Keoagile said there is no clear plan and priority supported by a budget to achieve the country's inclusive sport model for all, adding that for now, they just have to continue fighting.
“The last time we competed outside the country was at the first Africa Deaf Athletics Championships that we held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2019. The team did well. Unfortunately, it goes back to a lack of support from the government,” she said.
Keoagile said they appreciate inclusive efforts by the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region V, as deaf sport was part of the 2025 edition. She said they are the only body that understands and pays attention to deaf sport.
“AUSC Region V can be a model for benchmarking for the achievements of Sport for Development and Peace and the 2030 Agenda for,' Keoagile said.
Moving forward, the plan is to set up a meeting with the BDSF board members and plan for next year.
She said no matter how things turned out, they are looking forward to next year. Keoagile said the plan is to promote understanding of expressions in Sign Language and utilise various digital technologies.
“We should move to a stage where many people can sign phrases such as ‘How are you?’, ‘Thank you’ and ‘Congratulations'. That can be possible through sport,” Keoagile said.
She said the other thing is to develop Deaf Sport programmes, building partnerships and identifying Deaf Sport ambassadors.