Olympics team athletes plead for land allocation
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday September 25, 2024 14:01
The main attraction of the event was homeboy, Letsile Tebogo, who made history after becoming the first Motswana to win an Olympic gold medal. Tebogo made history books when he powered through the finish line in 19.46 seconds. His victory was marked by a grateful Botswana government that announced a public holiday. The 21-year-old also powered the men’s 4x400m relay team to win a silver medal. When given an opportunity to address the public and village leadership, three team members, Letsile Tebogo, Collen Kebinatshipi and Boitumelo Masilo, who originate from Kanye and Lotlhakane East pleaded for land allocation. Speaking on behalf of Tebogo and Kebinatshipi, Masilo said athletes should be allocated land, especially since they have been promised to be gifted with livestock by Bangwaketse. According to the athlete, he made the same plea to the Tawana village leadership to allocate land to team members from Maun. “The youth should be encouraged to get involved in sport because it is the future,” he said, adding rewards are great in sport and there is untapped talent in Kanye.
“Our government is doing a lot for sport, even other countries aren't able to do what our government is doing. Even our welcome ceremony was huge compared to other countries,” Masilo added. Government has increased incentives for the national team which is a welcome development, unlike before when athletes were paid P50 per day as camp allowance. At the moment, they receive P200 per day, he said. Kebinatshipi further said the Paris 2024 Olympics were over and the focus is now on Los Angeles 2028 edition. He said Botswana had sent a small team at the games, which did very well and if they were to send a larger team, there is a possibility to win more medals. Olympic champion, Tebogo intends to set up a sport academy in his home village, he announced during Team Botswana country tour over the weekend. Tebogo said the academy won't only focus on athletics and football but any other sport to cater for the youth in Kanye and the entire district. He added the youth have a lot of time to spare which they aren't using and end up involved in petty crime and with an academy they will be able to focus on sport. “I used to spend much of my time training. After training I'm tired, so I sleep. The following morning, I go to school. That assisted me a lot, today I could be snatching wallets. I'm also requesting Kgosi Malope to give a plot for the academy,” Tebogo said.
The plea was made in front of Ngwaketse Land Board chairperson, Retired Major General Odirile Mashinyana and Ngwaketse Land Board deputy secretary, Equator Makhura, who were instructed to work on the requests and report back to Kgosi Malope II soon. For his part, Kgosi Malope II of Bangwaketse said the performance of Team Botswana at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has put the country on the map, especially the gold medal that was won by Tebogo. Kanye was the first stop for the team and it will be followed by visits to areas where other members hail including Serowe (Main Kgotla) on October 5, Palapye (Behind Chicken Licken) on October 5, and Francistown (Obed Itani Stadium) on October 12.