SSKIA welcomes first Youth Games� arrivals

Mbongeni Mguni | Tuesday May 20, 2014 13:20

Members of the Tanzanian Youth Games delegation arrive at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport yesterday. The team is among 2,500 visitors expected in the days up to Thursday when the mammoth games begin.

According to schedules released yesterday, more than half of the 2,500 athletes expected for the Games, will fly into Gaborone between now and May 26. Since Friday, scores of athletes and officials have arrived in Gaborone and taken up residency in various hotels. Yesterday, Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana public affairs manager, Modipe Nkwe told Mmegi that the SSKIA was well able to deal with the anticipated rush of arrivals for the Games, which begin on Thursday. He said the Airport had garnered experience in handling large numbers during the 2011 African Junior Athletics Championships when hundreds of athletes had congregated in Gaborone.

“The dedicated desk will facilitate smooth processing through our premises so that if there is any hiccup at immigration, customs or anywhere, we can help,” Nkwe said. “If they arrive without arrangements, the desk will be able to help them contact the games’ organisers. “We are happy with our preparations thus far and these are numbers we can handle.” While SSKIA’s terminal will only be able to handle a peak of 900 passengers per hour when it is fully expanded next year, Nkwe said the existing structures and personnel would be adequate for the Games. “Thus far, the arrivals are on scheduled flights and we expect the unscheduled to begin between Tuesday (today) and Wednesday,” he said. “Our people are in control and they will fit the unscheduled arrivals into the schedule.

“Some of the areas are not complete and we may be slightly strained here and there like for instance, if 50 people want to use the ablution at the same time, they may have to wait a little.” Nkwe said all government arms housed at the Airport such as law enforcement, customs and immigration are ready to receive the higher numbers of arrivals. “I spent two hours at the airport today and I was quite happy with what I saw,” he said. “We are confident of accommodating everyone who comes through.”