Time to invest in our athletes
Mmegi Editor | Thursday August 27, 2015 16:11
Makwala holds the Africa record for the 400m sprint, while Nijel Amos had been, until last weekend, shining in the 800m.
Amos has the third best time in the world, is a Commonwealth champion, Olympics silver medallist and holds the junior world record. In the past two months, the young athletes known as DJ Zoro in the music circles, was a thorn in the flesh for the Kenyan Olympics and World Champion, David Rudisha, winning all but one Diamond League games.
Amantle Montsho is down, but not out, for the doping that earned her a two-year suspension. She was the 400m Champion for Commonwealth Games. This is a huge achievement for a country that was least known in the last decade or so, particularly on international sports competitions. This therefore, calls for a change of mindset, for the athletes, the nation, and the authorities.
These young people have raised our flag many times in the international arena, and that’s what we have longed for, for a very a long time. In our despair for international recognition, we have spent millions on various endeavours.
The recent ones that are still fresh in our memory are the No.1 Ladies Detective movie shooting, which the ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism donated approximately P35 million to the film company.
The argument at the time was that the film or series would grant Botswana exposure to the international community. In 2014, a rapper from the United States, Jeffrey Atkins aka Ja Rule came to perform in Gaborone. Brand Botswana paid $20,000 for accommodation expenses for the artist and his entourage.
Since we have athletes who are doing well in the international arena, it is our belief that the above-mentioned organisations, and others of course, should come forward and sponsor them.
The sponsorship could be in the form of hiring trainers for them, acquiring them best equipment, or just paying them monthly salaries for their upkeep.
These athletes represent Botswana much better than Ja Rule can ever do.
All they need is support, and some training on how to do the marketing of our diamonds and tourism facilities.
It is our hope that, since our authorities have demonstrated support for the athletes by setting aside time in their busy schedules to welcome these heroes from their international competitions, they will also think about extending a helping hand to them. Financially. Time has come for us to change our mindset.
This will not only empower these young men and women, but also inspire aspiring athletes. What we need is a policy that will guide us on how we support our best performing athletes.
Today’s thought
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
– Chinese Proverb