Canoeing team bounces back to Youth Games

Mosah Mokganedi | Thursday April 17, 2014 13:46

 

The Botswana canoeing team was initially deemed not ready for the games, but this changed because some athletes have been moved from rowing to the sport.

During the unveiling of Team Botswana in Gaborone on Tuesday, chef de mission, Tshepo Sitale said since canoeing and rowing are similar, some athletes from the rowing team have been moved to canoeing. He said rowing felt two of the squad members were too young and were subsequently moved to canoeing.

In total, Botswana will field 197 athletes in the games  compared to the 17 athletes that were sent to Morocco for the inaugural competition.

The team bagged 17 medals. With the high number of athletes and home ground advantage, Sitale believes the team will do even better. He said besides athletes excelling, the games will unearth more talent.

He appealed to Batswana to rally behind the team saying the power of home ground advantage is evident in multi sport event across the world. “With support and familiar environment, confidence is boosted hence the possibility of maximum performance,” Sitale said.

Botswana is expecting more than 8,000 visitors during the games.

This includes athletes, managers, coaches and officials from international federations. The competition will be held under the theme: ‘Unleashing African Stars’.