Cold reception for Branch

Ross Branch being welcomed by the Minister Tshekedi Khama at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Ross Branch being welcomed by the Minister Tshekedi Khama at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The Botswana Motor Sport (BMS) vice president, Vincent Crosbie was left disappointed at the low turnout when Dakar Rally hero, Ross Branch touched down at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport on Tuesday.

Branch became the second Motswana to compete at the iconic event where he won the best Rookie award while finishing 13th overall.  As the rider arrived at the airport on Tuesday evening, only a handful of people turned out to embrace their hero while many prominent sport figures including the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) shunned the occasion.  However, the new Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Tshekedi Khama was present. 

"Ross has done really well, he has climbed mountains in Dakar. For him to go there is an achievement on it's own and to win the rookie award is massive. For him it's a personal achievement and for the country is a massive achievement and a milestone for us.  I was expecting a lot more people; I was hoping we would have been able to give him a bigger recognition. But in our hearts, Ross is still number one, that's what counts, to us, Ross is a hero," Crosbie said.  He blamed the poor turn out on the little support that motor sport receives in the country. 

Editor's Comment
Let us all go to vote

Figures released by the country’s electoral management body have shown that a total of 1, 037, 684 people have registered to vote.However, eligible voters could be discouraged by events leading to the voting day like poor execution of advance voting amid talks that the elections could be unfair.There have also been threats by certain opposition politicians that shall the elections not be free and fair, they will halt them.Despite these...

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