Mosah Mokganedi
21 April 2008
Since Botswana started taking part in the Olympics Games 27 years ago, it has not improved in terms of participation as it has been represented by two codes, these being athletics and boxing.
The two codes are also yet to reap a medal from the global event as athletes have always dropped out at the preliminary stages of the competitions. It is clear that the two codes will once again represent the country at this year's Beijing Olympics unless the Botswana National Olympics Committee (BNOC) decides to send a swimmer, who is yet to qualify.
The other issue of great concern is women participation. Until the last Olympics in 2004, Botswana had never had female representatives at the games. Athletics' Amantle Montsho made history by becoming the first woman to represent the country at the competitions and it seems the same athlete will be the only female in the Botswana squad this year.
It also looks like qualifying for the tournament has always favoured individual sports than team sports. The only team code that came close to qualifying for the games is football but the national Under-23 soccer side was knocked out in the group stages.
BNOC chief Martin Mokgwathi says it all boils down to the question of money and preparations. The local Olympic committee is suffering financially, hence they cannot give athletes full support in terms of development.
He contends that as long as athletes are not developed from grassroots level, Botswana sports will not go anywhere. He also observed that qualification always favours individual codes because they are easily manageable. "Batswana are talented and we can have more of them qualifying if we invest on them."
Mokgwathi added that they have tried everything in their power to raise money for BNOC but they have always hit a snag.
He said they have also tried to talk to the government but the money they are given is never enough. "But we will not give up, we will try other initiatives to raise funds," he says. Mokgwathi said currently they are engaging more stakeholders to help them come up with fund-raising ideas. He expressed hope that with the new president (Ian Khama), things would change.
Mokgwathi believes that Batswana are talented and if the problem of resources is resolved, the country will go somewhere. He also blamed government for low participation of women in sports. He said the women's issue is a concern to the BNOC that needs to be addressed.
He said government should come up with strategies that would encourage girls to take part in sports. Mokgwathi said women are faced with a lot of challenges, which is why they will always lag behind. Meanwhile, the BNOC says preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games in August are ongoing.
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