Rakgare shoots from the hip
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday August 13, 2022 10:31
. “We do not fear being insulted for decisions that we take. (Ga re tshabe go rogwa ke batho. Ba re rogela ditshwetso tse re di tsayang. Re tla di tsaya.) We will take action against those who are not well behaved (Lona ba le sa itshwareng sentle, re tla le phatlalatsa). We will do it because we have to protect our sport.
We cannot have people doing as they please but we shall meet at the right forum,” he lashed out. Rakgare said sport administrators must be accountable for decisions that they take as well as for the sponsorship they receive from the business community. “We must all demonstrate integrity as sport. If we do not have integrity, none of the companies will want to associate with you.
Athletes must understand that integrity is very important and does not only end on the track. As sport leaders, you must have integrity,” he said. Team Botswana managed a silver medal (4x400m men’s relay team) and a bronze medal through Lethabo Modukanele of boxing. “It would be naïve of us to think that sheer talent alone will see us reaping the very best as we compete against nations such as Jamaica, England, and even Nigeria. Government will continue to strive to provide the necessary support and ensure that we capacitate our organs in order to facilitate this development,” he said.
Rakgare said there are other competing priorities amid a limited budget. He appealed to the private sector to stand up and partner with sport. “Doing so will enable you to harness the benefits that these talented athletes and teams can attract for your organisations or business locally and internationally, thus growing the synergies and symbiosis between yourselves and sport,” he said.
Commonwealth Games team chef de mission, Yarona Sharp said they had a target medal of eight but only returned with two medals, which is not a small feat. She noted that they might not have achieved their target but there is a lot to celebrate.