Here we are talking about the crème-la-de-crème of world athletics coming to Gaborone. It is the first time fans will get to see these stars on Botswana soil in a once-in-a-while experience and it’s all thanks to largely the efforts of one man; GLODY DUBE (no relation to yours truly). Dube’s perseverance has landed Botswana one of the biggest events in the global athletics calendar.
He started relatively small with what was known as the Gaborone International Meet (GIM). Doubting Thomases obviously did not see much value in the event. Initially, the event struggled to attract top athletes, relying on the pulling power of regional and local stars like Isaac Makwala. But Dube did not give up, for he and his team, including our very own Calistus Kolantsho, had a vision. I personally witnessed Kolantsho’s everyday sacrifices when it was not fashionable to be associated with the event.
Glody and his team saw beyond their toes and their vision had a global focus. It did not take long for GIM to graduate as last year, it was granted the silver status. Before long, the World Athletics upgraded it to the golden tier, which is what has landed Botswana the best-of-the-best in the athletics world. It is no mean feat and this should be celebrated.
Dube, the first athlete to reach the finals in an Olympic Games competition in 2000, could have had the option of throwing in the towel when there was little buy-in or belief in his project. But he has endured and not too long ago, had threatened to pull-out when he met some stumbling blocks. The corporate world has reciprocated Dube’s effort with FNB’s P2 million sponsorship, the icing on the cake. However, as Dube and his team bask in the glory, we should be wary of the hyena or vulture moment.
Typical of vultures, some are already perched at the tree top ready to feast on a kill they did not participate in. The hyenas are also known to pounce as other predators settle in for a meal after long, bruising hours of hunting. The hunt comes at a cost, with missed kills, bruises and even broken limbs. The hyenas and vultures do not want to participate in this dirty work.
All they want is the feast. It will not be too far off the mark to suspect that some hyenas and vultures are already lurking around the ‘FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix’ kill. And they will devour the largest chunk; hyenas and vultures do not care who brought down the animal, all they want is their share. This kill belongs to Glody and while no one man is an island, he should be allowed to eat and share the loot as he wishes. The efforts of other stakeholders cannot be underestimated and is appreciated, but let this achievement not be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency. Hail Glody, Glory to Glody!
