To honour the success and foster a strong connection between the team that represented Botswana at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and the nation at large, government through the ministry of sports and arts will host a series of public engagements in selected places around the country.
Speaking during the media brief that was held in Gaborone this week, Minister of Sports and Arts Jacob Kelebeng said that these events are designed to give every Motswana the opportunity to meet, celebrate, and interact with the athletes.
“We believe these engagements will not only strengthen community spirit but also unite us in our shared love for sports and national pride,” he said.
He shared that following the team’s stellar performance, the government has rewarded the total sum of P1 559 000 as per the incentives and rewards policy, confirming that the payment has been made to the athletes and officials.
According to the Minister, with World Athletics Championships falls under level 2 in the performance and rewards package for national team players and athletes’ policy which only warrants financial incentives for athletes. He noted that the incentives are rewarded as follows gold medal (P150, 000.00), silver medal (P100, 000.00), bronze medal (P75, 000.00), and top 8 finish (P20, 000.00).
He added that this is over and above the preparation of the team which included pre competition camp in South Korea to help the athletes acclimatise, appearance fees, and facilitation of qualification to the World Championships through build up competitions like the world relays held early this year in May.
“We have also as Ministry, begun the process of reviewing and refining this incentive policy to ensure it is aligned with our national priorities. Which is to ensure sport becomes a key driver of our economy,” he revealed.
Kelebeng has further urged the public, private sector, and all well-wishers to pledge their support for the athletes, whether in the form of donations, sponsorships, or other kinds of support. He stated that this will go a long way in recognizing their hard work and ensuring their continued development and welfare.
Team Botswana men’s 4X400m relay team has made history at the Championship being the first African country to win a gold medal in that race since 1983. The team was made up of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, Collen Kebinatshipi, Justice Oratile, Zibane Ngozi and Leungo Scotch.
The participants Eppie, Ndori and Kebinatshipi registered times of 45.16, 44.41 and 44.14 respectively, with Tebogo registering 44.05 being the fastest among all the finalists. The countries that participated in the 4*400 m relay finals include Botswana, United States, South Africa, Portugal, Jamaica, Netherlands, Qatar, Belgium, and Great Britain&NI.
In yet another remarkable milestone, Kebinatshipi made history winning gold medal in the men’s 400m race being the first Motswana man to win a world title recording 43.53. His teammate Ndori won a bronze medal in the men’s 400m final registering 44.20 while Eppie finished on the 8th position registering 44.77.
Olympic medallist Tebogo took position 4 in the 200m final, and recorded a false start in the 100m final. Tshepiso Masalela secured the 8th place in the men’s 800m final with a time of 1.42.77 while Oratile Nowe finished in 4th place, with a time of 1.58.43, in women’s 800m semi-final.
Kethobogile Haingura finished in 6th place of the men’s 800m semi-final heat registering 1:46: 56, Victor Ntweng finished in 8th place of the 400m hurdles semi-finals registering 49.61 while Kemorena Tisang finished in the 7th place of the 400m hurdles registering 50.57.
