Botswana wins six medals at Africa Youth Games

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Friday July 23, 2010 00:00

 

The gold medallists were sprinter Leungo Matlhaku in the girls' 200m and Mmilili Dube in the boys' high jump. Matlhaku added silver to her gold when she came second in the 100m final.

The 15-year-old sprinter surprised her older competitors, whose average age was 17. Her time of 24.83 seconds in the 200m rates among the fastest in Africa at the moment, at both junior and senior levels.

After bursting into the national limelight by emerging as the best boxer at last year's Botswana Games, Oratile Kgalaeng continued his exploits in Morocco, winning silver in the 48kg.

Botswana's two bronze medals were won by Nigel Amos and Mmilili Dube in the 1000m and boys' medley relay events respectively.

Dube and Amos were part of the southern Africa relay team.

Other codes that Botswana participated in are judo, swimming and tennis.

The team from Morocco arrived home on Tuesday and a dinner was hosted in its honour at the Gaborone Sun on Wednesday.

Officiating at the event, Permanent Secretary (PS) at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Sam Outlule, said the games were a learning experience for the youngsters and they outdid themselves by bringing home medals.

He appealed to stakeholders to work hard and make sure that the youngsters develop well as they are the future of the nation's sport. The chef de mission at the games, Moses Moruisi commended the athletes for their exemplary behaviour in Morocco saying they were true ambassadors of the country.

The maiden Africa Youth Games were held from July 13 to 18.

They served as the continent's dress rehearsals for the Youth Olympic Games scheduled for Morocco next month. More than 1,200 athletes participated in the Morocco event.