Money starts rolling in for Makwala
Mqondisi Dube | Friday August 11, 2017 14:56
President Ian Khama yesterday announced that the 200m and 400m runner would receive P100,000, the money reserved for winners under the government’s athlete incentive scheme.
Khama said Makwala, in the eyes of many, was already a winner and deserved the cash.
The government’s official Facebook page, BWgovernment, said Khama had praised Makwala’s determination and spirit in the face of ‘unfair disqualification’ when he addressed yesterday’s High Level Consultative Council (HLCC) in Gaborone. Khama informed the meeting that Makwala will receive the P100,000 he would have been entitled to had he won. He acknowledged the media, members of the public for their support during IAAF lobbying which saw Makwala allowed to run the 200m on Wednesday and Thursday.
Khama announced that there will be a special day in the near future to honour the Tutume-born athlete.
Makwala received outpouring support from across the globe after he was barred from contesting the 200m heats as well as the 400m final due to a perceived medical condition.
IAAF was to later allow him to compete in the 200m.