BNOC condemns ambush marketing

Sitale said companies should desist from using athletes’ images after they win medals under the disguise of congratulating them. “Those companies should come on board now as we prepare the team, support these athletes and make pledges,” he said at the unveiling of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) team yesterday, “We cannot allow ambush marketing; we want support.” A team of six athletes, comprising two men and four women, will represent Botswana at the Games, competing in athletics, boxing, judo and swimming.

The Games will run from October 31 to November 13 across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly in Senegal, marking the first Olympic event to be held on African soil. Sitale said the BNOC is concerned that male athletes tended to outnumber their female counterparts. He added it is critical to support female athletes as they transition from youth to senior competition, as many tend to drop out along the way. “I hope we can retain this team and work on this base for the 2032 Olympics. We should guide these six athletes to be the core.