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Orange Botswana honors Olympic heroes

Orange Botswana staff and Paris 2024 Olympics team during the awards ceremony held at Orange Head Office on Friday
Orange Botswana staff and Paris 2024 Olympics team during the awards ceremony held at Orange Head Office on Friday

Orange Botswana chief executive officer (CEO), Néné Maïga, has expressed pride in local sprinter, Letsile Tebogo’s exploits at the Paris 2024 Olympics held in France recently.

Letsile scooped a gold medal in the 200m, a silver medal in the 4x400m relay and also reached the final for the 100m. Maïga said Tebogo’s gold medal is a landmark achievement, reflecting his dedication and hard work, principles that resonate deeply with the mission for Orange Botswana. "Our partnership with him is a testament to our commitment to empowering young athletes in Botswana and helping them achieve their full potential. This victory is a triumph for the entire nation," she said. The company on Friday recognised Botswana’s historic achievements at the Paris Olympics by awarding just over P2.5 million to the athletes and coaches. Letsile Tebogo, who made history as the first Motswana to win an Olympic gold medal in the men’s 200 meters, has been granted P500, 000 for his extraordinary accomplishment. Tebogo’s incredible performance, clocking in at 19.46 seconds, also places him as the fifth-fastest man ever over this distance.

Tebogo’s gold medal not only marks a milestone for Botswana but also highlights the nation’s rising stature in the global athletics arena. His success, born from years of relentless effort, has become a beacon of hope and pride for the entire country, with Orange Botswana leading the celebrations. Orange Botswana also acknowledged the vital contributions of others in the Olympic journey. Kebonyemodisa ‘Dose’ Mosimanyane, the coach who has been instrumental in Tebogo’s development, received P50, 000 for his dedication. The 4x400m Relay team, which secured a silver medal, was awarded P150, 000. These recognitions underscore Orange Botswana’s commitment to nurturing local talent and promoting sporting excellence in Botswana. Before the Olympics, Orange Botswana had already demonstrated significant support for Team Botswana by providing P1.68 million in both cash and in-kind sponsorships.

This included an initial allocation of P300, 000 for qualified athletes, which later increased to P610, 000 as more athletes qualified in athletics and swimming. The total contribution of P2, 560, 000 by Orange Botswana played a critical role in uplifting the team’s morale and ensuring their success. The partnership between Orange Botswana and Tebogo, which began two years ago, has been key to Tebogo’s journey to Olympic success. The financial support from the company ensured that Tebogo had all the necessary resources to compete at the highest level, solidifying his position as one of Botswana’s most iconic sports figures.

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