Female-dominated team leaves for Youth Olympics
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:58
The Games, which will run from October 31 to November 13, mark the first time Africa will host the biennial competition. The team’s gender composition has been hailed as a reflection of progress towards gender balance in sport, with authorities calling for greater support and opportunities for girls to participate and excel. Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng, said the female majority reflects Botswana’s commitment to equal opportunities and youth empowerment. “I am particularly proud that four of our six athletes are young women,” he said at the team’s send-off in Gaborone yesterday.
“Having a female majority reflects Botswana’s commitment to advancing gender equity and equal opportunity in sport.” Kelebeng urged the athletes to represent the country with pride, saying their selection was earned through hard work and discipline. “Your participation is not a result of luck, but a product of your sweat, discipline, early mornings and relentless focus,” he said. For his part, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) chairperson, Tshepo Sitale said the team has been selected on merit, while highlighting measures aimed at addressing gender disparities in sport.
He revealed that female athletes under the Olympic Solidarity programme receive higher monthly allowances than their male counterparts, describing the arrangement as part of efforts to overcome barriers young women in sport face. Sitale also challenged parents to give girls the same opportunities as boys to participate in sport. “Let us not say the girl child should come home and cook while the boy child is still playing in the streets. Let us give them an opportunity,” he said. Sitale added that the performances of Botswana’s female athletes should encourage greater investment in women’s sport.
“What has come to our attention is that the women’s team tends to do better than the men’s team. That means we should really do more for our ladies’ team,” he said. Judoka, Theresa Tagarira captains the team. The Dakar Games will bring together young athletes from across the world, with spotlight falling on the continent for the first time since the inaugural competition in 2010.
Botswana, alongside Tunisia and Nigeria, were unsuccessful in their bid to host the Youth Olympics. The team Athletics: Mpho Maano (800m), Geza Reinious (400m) and Isaac Makwala (coach) Boxing: Precious Masaba (boxer) and Kemoitsholetse David (coach) Judo: Theresa Tagarira (judoka) and Thato Lebang (coach) Swimming: Melodi Saleshando, Tema Modirelabangwe (swimmers), and Solomon Mpusetsang (coach).