Youth Games success to drive Nanjing-bound team
Dumisani Ncube | Thursday August 7, 2014 13:43
Eight athletes will leave next Tuesday determined to bring glory to a nation still reeling from a poor Commonwealth Games show.
AYG medallists, Kagiso Kebatshwaretse, Gorata Gabankitse (800m AYG silver medallist), Karabo Sibanda(400m AYG gold medallist), Baboloki Thebe(200m AYG gold medallist) and Naomi Ruele are part of the squad.
Athletics’ Thandi Uerimuna, badminton’s Tessa Kabelo and Gavin Bogopa of judo complete the line up.
Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) official, Aleseng Kutoro told Mmegi Sport that the team is ready to take on the world.
He said the zeal from the Africa Youth Games will drive the team.
Kutoro said due to the school calendar the athletics team has been practicing at Good Hope Senior School are under the guidance of coach Kago Tladinyane.
Swimmer Naomi Ruele is based at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria, South Africa where she has been busy preparing.
Bogopa trained in Switzerland under the mentorship of different Judo instructors including Tatsuya Deguchi who is a Seventh Dan (black belt) instructor.
In a press statement, BNOC Acting Chief Executive Modisaotsile Phatshwane said the goal is to send a well-prepared team, which will bring glory to the nation.
The Nanjing Games run from August 16 to 28.