Gov’t dangles cash rewards for athletes
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday June 21, 2024 11:11
“If I recall well, during the 2012 incentives rewards championships like Africa Senior Championships, athletes were making P500 as an appearance fee, now appearance fee is P2, 000. In terms of incentives for winning, in the past it was P12, 000 for gold medal, now it is P50, 000. It is a significant improvement to reward our athletes handsomely. We need to emphasise that the ultimate prize is the Olympic medal,” he said during the team's sending off at the Sir Seretse Khama Airport this week. Silver medallists will receive P30, 000 while bronze medallists pocket P20, 000. Athletes who finish in the top eight will each get P10, 000. For qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics, athletes get a P30, 000 qualification incentive, a monthly stipend of P8, 000 until the end of August as well as funding to support the build-up to the Olympics. Rakgare said after the men’s 4x400m relay team received their houses for the bronze won at the Tokyo Olympics, the government is ready to reward medallists from Paris.
He said motivation is key in sport and it is important to reward athletes handsomely, otherwise if they do not do that, sportspersons will not give their best. “As government, we cannot continue doing this because it is not sustainable. We are trying to say to the private sector, you need to come in and help grow our sport, and help motivate our athletes,” Rakgare said. Botswana sent a team of 41 members, comprising 32 athletes, and nine officials. In the last edition held in Mauritius in 2022, Botswana won four gold medals through Letsile Tebogo in 200m, Tlhalosang Tshireletso (long jump), mixed 4x400m relay team and the men's 4x400m relay. The team also won two silver medals through Bayapo Ndori in the men’s 400m and Tshireletso. Tshepiso Masalela bagged a bronze medal in the 800m. Tebogo is a favourite to clinch gold medals in both the 100m and 200m after his brilliant performance this season. The men’s 4x400m relay team, which is the current world champion, stands a chance to continue with their dominance in Africa.
Athletes speak: Stephen Abosi (100m, 4x100m) 'It feels good to be back in the national team and we are hoping for big things at the Africa Senior Championships. I was part of the team that competed in Mauritius where I clocked 10.05s in the semi-finals. Regarding Olympics qualification, it is unfortunate that due to the point system, we will need an automatic qualification of 10.00s to make the Olympics in 100m.'
Lee Eppie (400m, 4x400m) 'It is an honour for me to have been selected to be part of the national team. I have been working hard for this opportunity. It means a lot to me, especially since I will put my family name out there. It will be my first time at the Africa Senior Championships and this season my fastest time was 45.50s in the 400m. I just want to go out there and have fun on the battlefield and let everything else take care of itself. I have been based in Starkville, Mississippi in the United States since 2019.'
Refilwe Murangi (100m, 200m, 4x100m) 'We did not prepare a lot because there was no training camp. We were divided. Some of the athletes were preparing under the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) sponsorship while some were sponsored by the Botswana National Sport Commission. Relays did not have a chance to train together. We are wondering what will happen at the competition. We do not even have an idea of our running order. The aim is to qualify for the Olympics, especially the women’s 4x100m relay team, which is never taken seriously in our country. We do not have the support, so we intend to prove our worth. I have been out for three years nursing an injury, so this is my first season.'
Sethunya Majama (100m, 4x100m) 'I have prepared well for this competition and followed my coach’s instructions. I do not have any excuse right now; I just have to go there and bring a new Personal Best (PB). I am excited because this is the type of pressure I have long wanted. Regarding fatigue ahead of the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, there is still time for me to recover because the date (August 27) is still far.'