The Namibian team will set up camp in Botswana in May in preparation for the AUSC Region 5 games to be held in Windhoek in July. There are reports that the BNSC will foot the bill for the Namibia team. But Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) director-sports development, Peaceful Seleka, said the allegation is "untrue". He said Namibia has indicated the desire to come to Botswana for a training camp and friendly games from May 1-4. “The intention is to have them based in Gaborone, and we are still trying to assist them get affordable accommodation and meals at either University of Botswana (UB) or Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School, since they will be here at their own cost,” Seleka said.
Meanwhile, Seleka said hosting Namibia means a lot because Botswana is also preparing for the same competition. “We will have friendly matches before the actual competition. We have a good working relationship with the Namibia Sports Commission through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that we signed in 2020,” Seleka said. The Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) is planning to send a team of 204 athletes, 12 coaches, and a team of officials to Botswana for a pre-competition event to prepare for the upcoming AUSC Region 5 Games. According to media reports from Namibia, Botswana has offered to cover costs for accommodation and facilities in Gaborone. Namibia will cover transport costs as well as meals for the athletes. However, veteran athletics coach, Henk Botha, told MmegiSport that the decision to send the team to Botswana is a waste of money. “I have the belief that the money is not being spent wisely. It does not mean that when we have budgeted for something, we should do it. We could use the money here at home, get quality nutrition for the athletes, recovery equipment, and professional career planning for athletes before we measure ourselves with our neighbours,” Botha said. He said it does not make sense to travel all the way to Botswana, by road, compete, and return to Namibia for the competition.
