Curtain falls on sports extravaganza

Lekopanye Mooketsi | Monday June 2, 2014 16:52

 

The occasion was spiced by a parade of volunteers who formed a human wall around the football pitch and a performance by a local group Team Distance.

There was a parade of flags of all the participating countries and placards bearing their names. Like the opening ceremony, some of the teams paraded in their national colours while others were in sports gear. 

Despite the turmoil at home, the Libyans were flaunting their flag proudly for all to see. 

The Kenyans were geared in what seemed to be Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) colours.  Some of the young athletes were dancing merrily as they bid everyone  good bye. The crowd ululated excitedly when Team Botswana trotted on the ground waving the country’s flag.

There was a good turn out during the closing ceremony. The whole stadium roared with deafening  applause when the Botswana athletes were presented with their medals. 

There were also splendid performances by local musicians kike Vee who was joined by other compatriots to belt out the theme song.  Vee turned his fans wild as he took a dash to the front of the stands, to do his thing.

Going by the performance of Team Botswana choir, the athletes had less skill in singing than in the competition proper. But at the end of day, everyone had fun. 

The acting Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Vincent Seretse and the chairperson of the local organising committee, Regina Sikalesele-Vaka made closing speeches. 

Other activities on the day included the extinguishing of the games’ fire and handing over the flag to Algeria who will be hosting the next AYG in four years time.  And then it was time for fire crackers to light up the Gaborone sky to mark the closing of the games. What a week of fantastic sport!

The Gaborone 2014 AYG will remain a memorable event in the history of sport in Botswana.  It is the biggest sports event the country has ever hosted.