Tshepo Molwane
21 October 2008
The Botswana team which took part in the just-ended Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India, returned home yesterday.
The team won two medals through Daniel Lagamang and Lentswe Zwinila. Lagamang won a silver in 800m while Zwinila got a bronze in boxing.
Upon arrival at the Sir Seretse Khama Airport, the two athletes admitted that the games helped them gain the necessary exposure at international level. Lagamang who came second in the 800m to South African runner Jonas Cylof, said that though it was his debut at the games, he was happy about his performance.
"I was prepared because I trained hard in the build-up to the games. All credit has to go to my coach who ensured that I went there in the right shape. It was always going to be tough facing athletes from countries like Kenya, who are very good but I must say that I am happy to have beaten them," he told Mmegi Sport.
Lagamang pointed out that it was his first time to lose to Cylof. "I have always come ahead of him in our previous meetings. He (Cylof) was even surprised to have beaten me but that is a mistake that I will learn from." The McConnell College student told Mmegi Sport that he came second because his Kenyan opponent blocked him for most part of the race until he found his way past him in the last 100m. "I am looking forward to the Commonwealth Games to be held in 2010 and the Olympic Games set for 2012. I have big dreams and I will work hard to achieve them," he said confidently.
Zwinila said he was impressed by his performance but admitted that the going was tough at almost every stage. He said that though he lost in the semi-final, there is nothing special about his South African opponent.
"I learnt a lot but I think it is important that if we go to such games, we have to prepare harder, because it is not easy there," said the Masunga Senior Secondary School boxer.Team manager, Tebogo Ntesang told Mmegi Sport that the performance of Botswana athletes surpassed expectations because it was their first time at the games. She said that the athletes who returned home empty-handed, tried their best. "Their opponents had exposure.
That is why they were outsmarted," she said. Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) operations manager Andrew Kamanga told Mmegi Sport that winning two medals during their debut at the games is something to celebrate. "We can learn from taking part at these games. I am impressed because I have not received any complaints about the athletes' behaviour in Pune.
All we can do is to encourage them to do better next time. It is important for us as coaches to work together in preparing for the future," said Kamanga. There will be a reception for the team at Maharaja Conference Centre in Gaborone tonight.
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