AYG Opens On High Note
Lekopanye Mooketsi | Monday May 26, 2014 13:59
There was also a colourful parade by participating countries. Some of the teams were clad in their traditional garbs, while Team Botswana athletes were in their blue, white and black of the country’s flag.
The participating countries were cheered on by the multitudes that thronged the stadium. But the man of the moment was president Ian Khama, who conducted the official opening of the games.
Khama surprised many with his good command of the French language when he addressed the visitors from Francophone countries. A keen sports person, Khama was also honoured by the Association of National Olympic Committees for Africa (ANOCA) for his commitment to sport. This is why he was donning what seemed to have been a mayoral chain.
After the speeches were done, the tone was set for what turned out to be an evening of great entertainment. Artist Maxy Sedumedi set the ball rolling with her performance. This was Maxy in her element and she gave it her best shot.
The next artist on the stage was Zeus who also gave a good account of himself.
There were also performances by schools children. It seemed everyone had rehearsed well for the event. Their acts were very professional.
The newly married kwaito kwasa king, Vee and his dancers made it on the stage. As usual Vee rose to the occasion with one of his latest hits, hola. Each artist belted out one song, but it left an impression.
One might have thought that the large white balloon that has been erected in the middle of the pitch was meant for decoration purposes. But it was a video screen that used to beam various sectors of the country’s economy. There was footage depicting the country’s tourism as well as the fauna and flora.
Botswana’s tourism destinations like the Okavango were also depicted.
The opening ceremony meant to market the country as much as possible and the organisers did not do badly in this regard.