Makwala remains the darling of the nation
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday August 17, 2017 10:58
The athletics team from the little nation of Botswana marched into the London stadium during the official opening of the championships. Fast forward to the Norovirus that hit Botswana camp later. Instead of giving in to the virus, the team was united, and the nation and government rallied behind them.
The team arrived back home on Wednesday to the roar of well wishers around Gaborone. Speaking during the welcome ceremony at Avani Gaborone hotel, Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi said the government is fully behind the team and would never be alone.
“The issue here is not about Makwala, but it is a symbol of what you all did as a team when that happened to Makwala that you represented. The button exchange included, all that brought us together.
You have the government behind you in your endeavours to excel in sport. You had it behind you yesterday, today and it shall be so tomorrow,” he said.
Masisi confirmed to the team that the government would give them support when they prepare for the Commonwealth games and other international games and in turn, the government expect a lot from the athletes.
Meanwhile, Masisi said watching the clip of Makwala running in the rain was the most consoling and significant solo run he has ever watched in his life.
“It was captivating because it symbolised so much of what a human determination can do when zero and laser focused on a mission to accomplish,” Masisi said.
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Thapelo Olopeng encouraged the team to ignore people who attack them on social media.
“If they condemn you, tag them to my Facebook page, I know how to deal with them. Such people do not deserve your attention because they have failed in life. What matters in athletics is time. Take it easy,” he said.
Olopeng said Batswana are patriotic and support their team. The minister said Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Commonwealth games are starting today.
“I have given an instruction to Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) and Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) that elite athletes who compete at international stages, qualifying for semi finals and finals, be treated differently,” he said.
Olopeng said the athletes should be provided with accommodation. He said if they fail, he pledged to move out of his ministerial house and accommodate them there.
He said this is an indication of how the government feels about the team because they cannot be professional if not treated in a professional manner.