Commonwealth Games torch headed for Botswana

Correspondent | Friday January 17, 2014 15:55

he Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay will arrive in Botswana, the 34th of its 71 Commonwealth destinations, at the end of this month, the Botswana National Olympics Committee (BNOC) has announced in a statement.

President Ian Khama will welcome the baton on the January 30 2014 at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport on its arrival from Namibia.

Botswana will provide an integral link when it welcomes the baton as it travels on one of the most engaging relays in Botswana.

The Queen's Baton Relay is a traditional curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games and symbolises the coming together of all member nations in preparation for the four-yearly festival of sport and culture. The Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay began at Buckingham Palace on October 9, 2013, when Queen Elizabeth II sent it out with a message to its first destination. The first port of call was the last Commonwealth hosts Delhi, India.

BNOC president Negroes Malealea Kgosietsile said: 'We are delighted and honoured to be part of this prestigious and momentous global journey. This journey unites the Commonwealth countries through sport. It promotes and showcases Botswana to the world via the accompanying media attention.'

According to BNOC marketing and communications manager Mpho Motlhabane, planning is already well under way to celebrate the arrival of the Glasgow 2014 Queens Baton Relay.

'We look forward to seeing many locals join these festivities and turn out to cheer on the relay baton bearers, more especially that BNOC is optimistic that we will surpass our previous Commonwealth Games performances in Glasgow 2014,' Motlhabane said.

Motlhabane said in Botswana the relay will commence at the Dikgosi Monument on January 31, 2014 and past and present athletes will take part. It will also visit many local schools and places of historical and cultural significance.

Details of the exact route the Baton will travel through will be released early next week.

In the end the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay will have traversed the length and breadth of the Commonwealth visiting all 71 member nations and covering 190, 000 kilometres in 245 days.

The baton will travel throughout Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas (south), the Caribbean, Americas (north) and Europe. The Baton will then complete the final part of the journey in Scotland.

President Ian Khama will welcome the baton on the January 30 2014 at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport on its arrival from Namibia. Botswana will provide an integral link when it welcomes the baton as it travels on one of the most engaging relays in Botswana. The Queen's Baton Relay is a traditional curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games and symbolises the coming together of all member nations in preparation for the four-yearly festival of sport and culture.

The Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay began at Buckingham Palace on October 9, 2013, when Queen Elizabeth II sent it out with a message to its first destination. The first port of call was the last Commonwealth hosts Delhi, India.BNOC president Negroes Malealea Kgosietsile said: 'We are delighted and honoured to be part of this prestigious and momentous global journey. This journey unites the Commonwealth countries through sport. It promotes and showcases Botswana to the world via the accompanying media attention.' According to BNOC marketing and communications manager Mpho Motlhabane, planning is already well under way to celebrate the arrival of the Glasgow 2014 Queens Baton Relay. 'We look forward to seeing many locals join these festivities and turn out to cheer on the relay baton bearers, more especially that BNOC is optimistic that we will surpass our previous Commonwealth Games performances in Glasgow 2014,' Motlhabane said.Motlhabane said in Botswana the relay will commence at the Dikgosi Monument on January 31, 2014 and past and present athletes will take part. It will also visit many local schools and places of historical and cultural significance.Details of the exact route the Baton will travel through will be released early next week.

In the end the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay will have traversed the length and breadth of the Commonwealth visiting all 71 member nations and covering 190, 000 kilometres in 245 days. The baton will travel throughout Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas (south), the Caribbean, Americas (north) and Europe. The Baton will then complete the final part of the journey in Scotland.