Olympicteam jets in to rapturous welcome

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Staff Writer | Tuesday August 21, 2012 00:00

 

Botswana Olympics team returned home to a rousing welcome yesterday. Gaborone literally came to a stand still as the blue, black and white colours filled the city. The team touched down at Sir Seretse Khama Airport (SSKA) at lunch yesterday. Batswana thronged the airport (SSKA) in large numbers to welcome their heroes amid tight security. With so much attention on the team the arrival of Miss Botswana who just represented the country at the Miss World pageant passed as a non-event. As the team checked out, a choir busted into song.'

Nijel o manoni wame, ke mo tseleng ke etla (Nijel you are my darling, I am on my way to you). The crowd went literally berserk and almost over powered security personnel as people were eager to get closer to their heroes.The motorcade proceeded to the UB stadium where yet a large crowd waited. The athletes had a chance to interact with the public where they also signed autographs. The Chef de Mission, Botsang Tshenyego thanked Batswana in general for the support that they gave to the the team. He said the team also met London based Batswana who gave them morale support throughout the competition. Tshenyego also praised the four for behaving well on and off the field. The Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Shaw Kgathi thanked the parents of the athletes for bearing stars.

He said it gave him great pleasure that sports has united people through bringing good results. 'It is our intention to continue uniting people through sport,' he said. Kgathi advised Batswana to always rally behind their national teams not only when they are doing well. All the four athletes thanked Batswana for their supporting saying they made it because of the support. 'We made it because of your support,thank you,' the nation's first Olympic medallist, Amos said to loud cheers.