The year 2024 has been a gracious guest; the best of the lot since Botswana was given the freeway to self-rule way back in 1966. This year tasted the sweetest in terms of sporting achievements. No other can surpass the last 12 months as Botswana claimed its rightful place among the world’s leading athletics nations. The wine of success in 2024 tasted so good and the hope is that more glasses will be raised to toast further success in 2025. The feel good factor has been restored, thanks largely to the exploits of the prodigious talents of one Kanye lad, Letsile Tebogo.
His 200m triumph at the Paris Olympics in August was the story of the year, not only within the confines of Botswana but his success reverberated across the globe. It is a story that will be told for generations to come. It culminated in Tebogo being voted the world’s best male athlete, a feat that no other local sportsperson has achieved, and will be difficult to replicate. In 2025, all the scrutiny will definitely be on Tebogo, the conqueror of one Noah Lyles and a host other American greats. The next 12 months will be crucial as Tebogo chases his first ever world championship title. He has shed the dark horse tag and would go into 2025 as the world’s most feared 200m athlete and Botswana can stand proud. The last time there was such a feeling was when Amantle Montsho became world champion in 2011. Nijel Amos arrived on the big scene with all the promise of conquering the world, but he flattered to deceive. He returns to the track next year after serving a ban for doping.
