When the minister of Sports, Tumiso Rakgare, first flighted the idea of giving athletes who bring medals from world stage championships houses as incentives, many doubted it would come to pass.
Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) board chairperson Marumo Morule says even they did not believe the minister’s idea will come to pass.
“In 2021 when the minster talked about giving houses as incentives, we thought it was a pipe dream. We thought so because it was challenging to pay incentives at that time and what more houses,” the BNSC board chairperson said.
Fast forward a few months later, the idea became a reality. The house incentive is now a policy and houses are expected to be given to all winners in the future. The first batch of athletes to receive the house incentives were from the men’s 4X400m relay team which won bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
This past week, a new batch of recipients were rewarded with houses. These athletes include men’s 200m Olympic gold medallist Letsile Tebogo as well as the men’s 4X400m relay team which won a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic games.
Speaking at the handover of the houses this past week, Morule commended Rakgare for his visionary ideals of doing more for athletes who bring glory to the country and are a source of pride for the nation.
According to the BNSC board chairperson, the youthful sports minister is always on official and private conversations advocating for better welfare of athletes across sporting federations.
“The houses will inspire many more athletes to be dedicated and committed in engaging in sport with knowledge that they too if they achieve they will be rewarded handsomely,” Morule.
The BNSC chairperson lavished more praise on Rakgare for his commitment in sport. “Since I was nominated the chairperson of the commission working under the minister, I can tell you in his five years he has done a lot for sport and the welfare of athletes has been one of the cornerstones of his leadership. The minister is a workaholic and always strives for excellence,” he said.
In his address, Rakgare congratulated members of the medal winning Olympic team for their heroics. “It goes without saying that your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence have not only made you champions, but have also made us all immensely proud.”
“You have inspired our youth, ignited hope in our nation, and showcased what it truly means to strive for greatness. On your journeys, you have demonstrated that dreams can indeed become a reality through passion and determination,” Rakgare said.
The minister explained that the handing over of houses shows the government of Botswana’s unwavering commitment to supporting athletes and investing in their future.
“Government, made a conscious decision to align ourselves with best practice with respect to the incentivisation of our sports men and women, cognizant of the need to be competitive in this sphere, in order to drive that same competitive spirit in our athletes,” he revealed.
Rakgare further indicated that the initiative is part of a broader vision to elevate the status of sport and the creative industry in Botswana. He said sport and creative arts are both at the forefront of many high-income economies, something which Botswana is aiming to achieve.
The minister further noted that the incentives also reflect government’s commitment to nurturing talent and ensuring that athletes have the resources they need to thrive. He said the government believes that investing in athletes is investing in the national identity, pride and Botho as well as in youth, and in a future filled with hope and opportunity.
Rakgare encouraged stakeholders to invest in sport and build strong infrastructure that will enable the sport in general to achieve optimal results and glory for the country.
The new homes awarded to athletes are expected to serve as a constant reminder of incredible achievements and of the support of the nation.
“As you take possession of these homes, I urge you to view them not only as a reward for your hard work but also as a foundation for your future endeavours. Use this opportunity to continue to inspire the next generation of athletes,” Rakgare advised the athletes.
While the men’s 4X400m relay team members will be awarded apartments, the government will be building a P2.2 million house for Tebogo. The house will be built in Kgale View in Gaborone. The ground breaking has already been done and construction is expected to commence very soon.
