AUSC team bags 35 medals

Tlotlo Kebinakgabo | Wednesday December 21, 2016 22:19

Botswana was represented in athletics, judo, athletics for the visually impaired, swimming, netball and boxing. The athletes’ mouth-watering performances saw Botswana leaving Luanda with 14 gold medals, 14 silver medals and seven bronze medals.

Botswana finished second overall and improved on the 2014 performance where the country finished fourth.

Speaking at a welcome ceremony on Monday at Travel Lodge, the team’s Chief De Mission Gable Garenamotse said he was impressed by the performances of the team. “The team has done exceptionally well considering the fact that this is the smallest team ever to be sent to the games. They have broken Botswana’s medal record at the competitions,” said Garenamotse.

He further noted that they went to Angola focused on a common goal of making Botswana proud. He said they were not distracted by any of the challenges they faced. “I think it is appropriate for you to know that the competition’s facilities were not ready and there was shortage of water but neither of the two distracted us from emerging victorious.”

Botswana National Sport Commission chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng also lauded the team for a job well done. “Your performance demonstrates that you took this assignment seriously. Thank you to all those who brought medals home. The achievement of medals was not a solitary effort, but all of those who took part on the team’s preparation,” Reikeletseng said. He noted that the team’s nail-biting performance ensured that Botswana continues to leave footprints in the region and beyond.