The annual Botswana Games that started on the 14th of this month are said to be aimed at promoting every sport code as well as identifying sport talent and further developing it.
“The Botswana Games, for which we have converged, have become a critical event in our sport calendar. It is during these games that sport talent is identified, and further developed in line with our aspirations, as espoused in our sport Vision 2012,” said the Chairperson of the Botswana National Sports Council, Dr Daniel Tau.
Tau indicated that it is during the games that many sport goals objectives are accomplished and many dreams, particularly of athletes get fulfilled.
“It is also at these games that we hope to propel and cement social integration in keeping with our collective ideals of building a united and Proud nation by 2016. In summary therefore, the 2nd Botswana Games will serve to demonstrate how we in Botswana sport are making contributions towards the process of building Botswana as a Nation,” he said.
Tau advised all delegates that no challenge is insurmountable and that they should all work in unison to turn all the challenges they may face into opportunities.
“I am confident that sufficient effort has been invested to ensure that preparations are up to your expectations. Some challenges may crop up as we proceed with our week’s programme. In that unlikely event, let us remind ourselves that no challenge is insurmountable, and that we only need to work in unison to turn challenges into opportunities,” Dr. Tau added.
He further noted that he would be grateful if challenges could be approached with a sense of befitting maturity and professionalism, stating that the Botswana Games Organizing Committee and other office bearers will be at hand to render assistance at all times.
“I am confident that all stakeholders will contribute to the success of the Games in more ways than one. We have drawn lessons from the previous games and have attempted top leave no stone unturned in our preparatory activities”, asserted Dr. Tau. He further urged all team leaders to ensure that members of their delegations focus all their energies and resources in the right direction as they endeavour to deliver yet another successful set of Games. The games will be held at UB grounds and other sports grounds around the university. They will further see teams from 16 nationwide districts contesting in the following sporting codes: athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, chess, football, karate, netball, softball, swimming, tennis and volleyball.
The games are scheduled to end on the 19th of December.
