Team Botswana has descended on Windhoek, Namibia, for the ongoing 11th edition of the African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games set to end on the 13th of July
After a massive registration of a delegation of 258 athletes, the team now completes its final camp in preparation for the showdown. Supported by a robust medical and technical team, they’ll compete across various sporting codes including Athletics, Athletics VI (visually im-paired), Special Olympics, Table Tennis, Karate, Judo, Football, Volleyball, Boxing, Basketball, and Netball.
This year’s event marks a significant milestone in the history of the Games, as Special Olympics athletes those with intellectual disabilities will participate for the very first time. Their inclusion in the competition is a symbol of growing regional commitment to inclusive sport. The opening ceremony is expected to feature a unified football match to celebrate this milestone, with Special Olympics global ambassador, Didier Drogba set to join the festivities.
The nine day sporting event has confirmed a wide range of sporting disciplines, including both indoor and beach Volleyball, Football (with a new COSAFA U20 integration), Basketball, Net-ball, Athletics, Judo, Karate, Table Tennis, Boxing, Swimming, Tennis, e-sports, and the Special Olympics. Team draws have already been unveiled, with Botswana’s junior football teams placed in Group A for women and Group B for men. Under-19 teams in Basketball, Netball, Beach and Indoor Volleyball have also been seeded for what promises to be an intense competition.
Namibia, the host nation, has invested heavily in ensuring a successful event. Over N$127 million (approximately P95.03 million) has been dedicated to upgrading stadiums and training facilities across Windhoek and Swakopmund, as well as improving integrity and safety measures, including anti-doping protocols and athlete safeguarding frameworks. The lead-up to the games has also featured a celebratory torch relay across host towns.
Botswana comes into the games with momentum and high expectations. In the 2021 edition held in Lesotho, the nation recorded its best-ever performance, winning 64 medals and finishing second overall. The AUSC Region 5 Games, held every two years, focus on athletes under the age of 20 and are widely regarded as a launchpad for elite careers. Alumni of the games include Botswana’s own Nigel Amos and Naomi Ruele, as well as South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk.
In 2021, celebrations were dampened by a COVID-19 outbreak that affected more than 40 members of the Botswana delegation, but the country still made a powerful statement in terms of performance and resilience.
