AYG still await theme song, mascot
Mosah Mokganedi | Thursday May 15, 2014 11:29
We were focusing on things, which could make the Games fail if there are not there,' Botswana Africa Youth Games Organising Committee (BAYGOC) chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho has told Mmegi Sport. He said even the first edition of the Africa Youth Games in Morocco and the London 2012 Olympic Games did not have theme songs.
Although the song and mascot are known to create excitement for games, he said they are not mandatory and they can only be available if resources permit. 'Whether those two are there or not, that cannot stop the success of the Games,' he said.
So far, the Games, which start next week Thursday have no mascot or theme song. The theme song is expected to be picked this week, while the mascot is yet to arrive from South Africa.
Serufho said although it would have been desirable to have the song and mascot early, they had other more pressing things to take care of.
The theme song is sponsored by the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) and the government through the Alcohol Levy. The song features four local artists Zeus, Vee, Princess and Tshepo Lesole and is coordinated by Re Mmogo Youth Group.
Serufho said although the mascot was conceptualised in Botswana, they could not get a local to design it. He said Batswana should also take into consideration that the organising committee had a very short time to prepare. Botswana was given the green light to host the Games in May 2013.
Serufho said since they were financially constrained, they could not employ the needed number of people. 'People should know that we are a developing nation and should not compare us with developed countries,' he said.