FIRST CUT

DENNIS KEAGILE | Friday August 29, 2008 00:00

On occasions when there is time, the resources are far too limited. The recent performances by some of the Team Botswana members at the just ended Olympic Games in Beijing, China shows that if Botswana is to grab a gold medal one day, the country has to shed off its modest approach. Modest, because I think that we are not radical enough in coming up with an all encompassing winning mentality. This winning mentality should come from the top. In other words, there should be a lot of political will. The passion that politicians usually show when campaigning for office should be extended to all sections of society.  I am glad that President Ian Khama seems to be walking the talk. With the Minister of Youth Sports and Culture, Gladys Kokorwe having travelled with the Olympic team to Beijing, I am sure she has learnt a few tricks and has a far much better understanding of the intricacies of producing a winning team. This then brings me to one question: How much money and time is needed to bring one Olympic gold to the country?

Put another way, how much does an Olympic gold medal cost? If the sports authorities can answer this question, then they can have the winning formula for Olympic Games.
By Botswana standards, Amantle Montsho might have done well at the games but by world standards, she still has got a lot of work to do. For her to get a medal, she ought to have overtaken at least five people in the final. Khumiso Ikgopoleng was just one punch away from a bronze medal, yet the gap between him and his conqueror was quiet big in points.

However, I am convinced that once a proper assessment of the nitty-gritty of what ought to be done is made, I reckon we can go far. In fact I am inclined to think that the Botswana National Olympic Committee knows what is needed and how it can be done. I just hope and pray that Kokorwe will, for the good of the country, cut or stop all the red tape and bureaucracy that has compromised the delivery ability of the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC). There has just been too much red tape concerning the autonomy of the BNOC and it seems like the policy makers at the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture are not taking this issue seriously probably because it does not have much political appeal. Otherwise, the mumbo jumbo would have long been sorted out. I want government to take a serious interest in the BNOC just as it is being done with the Botswana National Sports, Council (BNSC). Anyway, I just hope that Kokorwe  will not disappoint us given what she said about her experiences in China. It is really time to walk the talk than offer lip service. In fact the slogan for Botswana's next Olympic Games billed for London in 2012 should be: 'Gunning for an Olympic Gold.'

I am of the view that funds are available but the problem is divided attention or lack of focus. The launch of the constituency league is a clear demonstration that once the political will is there, money can always be available. My only gripe is that this kind of development seems not to form part of the greater government sports policy. I am sure that Negroes Kgosietsile and his committee are best equipped to advise government on what to do for Botswana to grab an Olympic gold.

Anyway let us hope Kokorwe will properly advise the government and thereafter plans should be put in place. But all in all, it was like so near yet so far for both Ikgopoleng and Montsho.  Equally, the spectacle provided by China contrasted sharply with the political protests aimed at the games just before they started. The Beijing Olympics are now hailed as the best ever.

Coke Cup
The curtain will come down tomorrow on this year's Coca-Cola Cup when Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Uniao Flamengo Santos clash in the final of the 17th edition of the competition. With a bit of organisation, this would probably have been one of the most competitive Coca-Cola Cup tournaments. The fairy-tale run of Mochudi Buffalos will forever linger in the minds of many and so is the quarter-final clash between Extension Gunners and Chiefs. In fact, for the records, I have never witnessed a dull encounter between Gunners and Chiefs especially in cup games. Some of us still remember the thrilling Lion Cup final between the two in 1991 which Chiefs won 3-2. Or the 1998 Independence Cup won by Chiefs 1-0 after that howler by Reuben Mosweu provided Tshepiso 'Sox' Molwantwa with a generous gift.

Coca-Cola Cup is the Botswana Football Association's (BFA) premier knock-out competition. Hence I had hoped that the association will show more organisation. This is the only competition with the potential to change the fortunes of clubs for the better. It is a competition that can empower the clubs financially and otherwise. There are some clubs who have worked very hard to raise their profile and should in all fairness reap the fruits of their hard labour. Hence the idea of playing double-headers should be avoided.
If a club like Buffaloes play Township Rollers as a single header, I am sure that both will go to the bank laughing. In fact it should be borne in mind that one of the aims of this competition is to empower the clubs financially. Equally, the BFA should consider branding as a major component of the sport in this day and era. Having kits that do not bear the logo of the team and the association is not good. Come on Tosh Kgotlele, we are now in the 21st century. If this was acceptable a few years ago, it is not acceptable now. The bickering surrounding the availability of the national stadium seem to suggest that the BFA did not know that it will be staging the competition this year. All semi- finals have in the past been played at the  National Stadium and the booking should have been done a long time ago. It is unflattering to the BFA to have the likes of Gaborone United and Chiefs negotiating on behalf of the secretariat to use the stadium. Anyway good luck to the teams.