Grand opening ceremony sets the tone

Mqondisi Dube | Friday May 23, 2014 09:57

President Ian Khama receiving the Order of Valuable Contribution to the Olympic Movement from Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa president, Lassana Palenfo PIC KEBOFHE MATHE

The grousing had been silenced by a magnificent opening ceremony where 54 countries paraded their athletes and officials.

A near capacity crowd braved the dipping evening temperatures to cherish every moment as the Second Africa Youth Games blasted into life.

During the opening ceremony, President Ian Khama was awarded a medal by the Africa Olympic Committee for his service to sport.

He responded with a speech laced in French much to the delight of the crowd.

The tone was already set by the time upcoming sprint star, Leungo Matlhaku who passed the Africa Youth Games torch to 2012 Olympic Games silver medallist, Nijel Amos to light the Games’ flame.

Team Botswana, the last of the 54 countries to enter the stadium received a rapturous applause. Botswana will field 197 athletes across all 21 disciplines contested at the Games.

The first country to parade its athletes was Morocco, hosts of the first Africa Youth Games in 2010.

It was a carnival atmosphere as the beats of local group, Team Distant reverberated through the 20,000-seater stadium. Vee, Zeus and Maxy proved their worth before the big crowd.

South Africa, Kenya, Algeria and Botswana have the largest contingent in an event that also involves little known countries such as Sao Tome and Principe.

This year’s competition has seen an increase in the number of participating countries, up from 40, while athletes have increased from 2,000 to 2,500.

“Tonight and over the next 10 days, you will see how a dream can turn into reality,” Botswana Africa Youth Games Organising Committee (BAYGOC) chairperson, Regina Sikalesele-Vaka told guests. The competition ends on May 31.