The team received P1.4 million cash with a ceremony to appreciate their efforts held at the National Stadium on Wednesday.
Speaking during the event, Minister of Youth, Sport, Gender and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare said the government's payout to the team was P926,000. He explained that from the amount, Tebogo should not receive anything less than P250,000.
Debswana paid out a total of P300,000 to the team. From the Debswana amount, Tebogo got P60,000 for winning silver and bronze medals in Budapest. The athlete received P30,000 for winning a silver medal, P20,000 for the bronze and P10,000 as a participation fee. Tebogo banked P250, 000 from Choppies and 10, 000 kilowatts of electricity from Botswana Power Corporation (BPC).
The men’s 4x400m relay team was rewarded with P150,000, with each team member taking home P15,000 for reaching the relay finals and P10,000 for participation.
The team comprised Baboloki Thebe, Zibani Ngozi, Laone Ditshetelo, Leungo Scotch, Bayapo Ndori and Collen Kebinatshipi. The women’s 4x400m relay team of Lydia Jele, Oratile Nowe, Galefele Moroko, Obakeng Kamberuka, Golekanye Chikane, and Thomphang Basele each received P10,000 for participation at the World Athletics Championships.
Tshepiso Masalela will be rewarded for reaching the men’s 800m final and also get a participation fee. The two coaches, Chilume Ntshwarang and Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane left the National Stadium with their bank accounts P10,000 richer.
Debswana managing director, Andrew Motsomi said Debswana’s financial support to the athletes has added value to the journey of development and excellence in sport by providing an opportunity for the athletics team to take part in local, regional and international competitions. “Our partnership with Botswana Athletics Association is a proclamation of our purpose to make life brilliant for our communities,” he said.
