Botswana’s skateboarding revolution reached another landmark moment after national skateboarder Kagiso Leburu claimed first place at the adidas x WAF Go Skate Day Contest 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, defeating some of Africa’s finest skateboarders to be crowned continental champion.
Leburu’s impressive performance earned him the championship title and a cash prize of ₦1 million, a victory the Botswana Skate Federation believes signals Botswana’s arrival as a serious force in African skateboarding.
Federation President Mosako Chalashika described the triumph as a defining moment not only for the athlete but for the country’s growing skateboarding movement.
“Kagiso’s victory is a historic milestone for skateboarding in Botswana,” Chalashika said. “Winning a major continental competition such as the adidas x WAF Go Skate Day Contest demonstrates that Botswana is producing athletes capable of competing with and outperforming some of the best skateboarders in Africa.”
He said the victory significantly raises the profile of skateboarding in Botswana while showcasing the work the federation has invested in developing local talent.
“Most importantly, it inspires a new generation of young people to see skateboarding as a legitimate sport with opportunities for personal growth, international competition and career development,” he added.
Chalashika believes Leburu’s success is evidence that Botswana possesses world-class skateboarding talent despite the country’s relatively small skateboarding community.
“While our skateboarding community may be smaller than those in some other African countries, it is built on passion, resilience and a strong commitment to progression,” he said. “His victory reflects the quality of athletes being developed through years of dedication, community support and consistent participation in local and international competitions.”
He noted that the federation’s recent international successes, including Theo Setsetse’s participation in Olympic qualification events and now Leburu’s continental title, validate its long-term vision of creating international pathways for Botswana’s skateboarders.
“Every international appearance and achievement helps raise Botswana’s profile within the global skateboarding community and demonstrates the potential that exists within our athletes,” Chalashika said. “These successes create role models for younger skaters, attract interest from potential sponsors and partners, and reinforce our belief that Botswana can become one of Africa’s leading skateboarding nations.”
Behind Leburu’s victory, however, lies years of perseverance against significant challenges.
Like many athletes competing in emerging sports, he has had to contend with limited access to proper training facilities, the high cost of equipment and the financial burden of travelling to regional and international competitions.
Despite these obstacles, Chalashika said Leburu remained committed to improving his craft and representing Botswana at the highest level.
The Botswana Skate Federation has supported his development by creating competitive opportunities, facilitating participation in international competitions and providing administrative and logistical support. For the Lagos event, the federation also ensured Leburu travelled with his coach, Chalashika himself, whose guidance proved invaluable throughout the competition.
The federation now believes the continental title could become a launching pad for even greater opportunities.
According to Chalashika, the victory has the potential to attract sponsorships, partnerships with international brands, invitations to major competitions and greater recognition within the global skateboarding community, positioning Leburu among Africa’s emerging stars in the sport.
For the federation, the achievement also strengthens its determination to expand grassroots programmes, increase youth participation, strengthen coaching and athlete development initiatives and create more opportunities for Botswana’s skateboarders to compete abroad.
“We also aim to leverage successes like Kagiso’s to attract new partners and supporters who share our vision of making Botswana a leading skateboarding nation in Africa,” Chalashika said.
“His victory shows what is possible, and we want many more young athletes to follow that path in the years ahead.”
