Amos' triumph highlights sports progress

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Wednesday October 3, 2012 00:00

 

Since gaining independence from Britain on September 30, 1966, Botswana was yet to taste a medal at the biggest sporting event. Coincidentally, success was achieved at the former colonial power's backyard when Amos was involved in the fastest 800 metre race in history.

That silver medal triumph on a Thursday night will forever remain etched in the  country's history books. It was Botswana's first medal at the Olympics, which although not necessarily the cherry on top, proved how, just like good wine, Botswana sport has mellowed with age.

Sports fans will look back with pride as the Zebras also managed to break their AFCON finals appearance duck when they debuted in Gabon in January.Further evidence of sport's ascendancy is found in Amantle Montsho's sparkling form. Montsho grabbed a first for Botswana when she won a gold medal at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, last year before grabbing another gold at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique. She went on to defend her crown at the Samsung Diamond League, confirming her as a leader in her race. The only blot was her failure to win a medal in London against all expectation. Boxer Oteng Oteng has proved a consistent performer, bagging gold at the All Africa Games but controversially falling at the first hurdle at the London 2012 Olympics.

Netball did wonders when the girls proceeded to the World Netball Championships in Singapore, and there was another first for the sport when three players were signed by clubs from the Asian country.Volleyball sides and karetakas have continuously dominated Zone VI competitions although a challenge to conquer the continent remains. Bowls has produced one of the finest individual players in Lebogang Mascarenhas who at one stage reached the quarterfinals of a world singles tournament. There are several bright spots in golf too with young sensation, Leroy Pearmain providing glimpses of what lies ahead.

Cricket, previously viewed as an elite sport has spread to all parts of the country with thousands of children enrolled under the Botswana Cricket Association (BCA)'s development programme.The country has in recent years shown undisputed capability to host top class international events following the successful Africa Junior Championships in both tennis and athletics as well as the Africa Boxing Cup. Cricket hosted the ICC Division 7 qualifiers

There has been a vast improvement in facilities as a result, although some stadia remain unfinished. The New Lobatse and Francistown stadiums are recent additions, which should ease the shortage of facilities. Of note has been the corporate world's willingness to pump funds into sports in the process raising the profile of the game. be MOBILE and Orange Botswana are probably ahead of the pack with multi-million Pula deals for soccer, while the so-called minority codes have of late been receiving due attention. Mascom sponsors the volleyball league, Shell (softball) and Spar (netball). The sprouting of sponsors is symbolic of the growth of sport, particularly in value.