All roads led to the Orapa mining town at the weekend as Debswana held its annual inter-mine competitions between its three operations, Jwaneng Mine, Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) and the Debswana Corporate Centre (DCC).
The objectives of these annual competitions which took two days, are to promote wellness, team spirit and motivate Debswana’s workforce. These competitions are also part of the mining giant’s commitment towards sensitising its employees on health and safety issues.
The teams competed fiercely on a variety of sporting codes such as football, boxing, karate, bowling, cycling, netball and badminton. To add flavour to this year’s event, there was an addition of motor sport.
The ferocious battle between the teams led to Jwaneng Mine drawing with OLDM with 14 points each, while DCC only got one point. The winning teams were awarded prizes in the form of trophies.
Giving a keynote address during the prize giving ceremony, the General Manager of Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) Bakani Motlhabani said the event was well positioned as the pinnacle of Debswana’s annual sporting calendar.
“This is a momentous occasion that celebrates some of the great achievements of our men and women who have shown the heart, passion, determination, drive, energy and willpower to succeed in sport.
“These are men and women who over the past two days displayed some great instincts of the best and most successful athletes as they sweat it out blocking out pain, doubt and despair determined to succeed against all odds,” he said.
Motlhabani said these games were important as they promote Debswana employee interaction and wellness through enhancement of sporting culture. He also added that the games encourage long lasting employee relationships among Debswana employees, their families and Strategic Business Partners through participation in physical and mental exercises.
Motlhabani emphasised that the noble exercise is part of Debswana’s commitment towards sensitising its employees on issues of health through sports activities.
“Through this iniatiatiave the company also seeks to encourage employees to keep themselves healthy at all times. Those we believe will propel us to the heights of a globally competitive human resource because healthy employees are a productive workforce,” said the GM.
Motlhabani said it was important to note that sport involves competition which attracts both winning and losing. He said sports exposes players to the leadership aspects of success and added that it also builds a competitive spirit in players and teaches them to make a contribution irrespective of whether the participation results in victory or defeat.
He further said that playing sport teaches one to accept both success and failure in a positive spirit.
“Furthermore playing sport is beneficial for the development of social skills in a person. Sport teaches one to interact with people. It fosters collective thinking and develops planning skills.
“It builds confidence in sports men and women, and gives them a sense of accomplishment. In addition playing sport nourishes and strengthens the body and soul, instills self discipline, team work and inculcates a drive to excel. These are the key success attributes both at individual and national level,” he said.
Motlhabani said the success of the games was the result of the good investment of spirit, time and talent. He implored all the participants to work together and prepare well in time so that they elevate the standard of the games next time. In conclusion he showered accolades on all of the participating teams and the organisers for the success of the games.
“All teams displayed the unparalleled spirit of sporting excellence in sports for ultimate fitness indiscriminately, regardless of negative results or being threatened into the losing corner. After all we are all winners,” he said.
