The recent change in government following the national elections, as with any leadership shift, brings with it a sense of optimism – an expectation that past mistakes will be corrected and systems will be normalized.
One of the key beneficiaries of this change is Glody Dube, the founder of the Botswana Grand Prix. According to sources, the new government, through its Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, is intent on returning the Botswana Golden Grand Prix back to Dube.
A task force has been established to investigate the circumstances that led to the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) taking the Grand Prix from Dube. The Minister has also allegedly instructed that the BNSC, Botswana Athletics Association (BAA), and Dube must jointly issue a statement to World Athletics clearing Dube of any wrongdoing.
Sources further indicated that the Minister believes in supporting individuals rather than undermining them. Contacted for comment to confirm if indeed he has summoned BNSC and BAA to his office, Minister Kelebeng said “other than to confirm that we are indeed making efforts to reconcile all affected stakeholders, I have no further comment at the moment. Will update the public and the media in due course.”
Last year, a feud pitting Dube against the Ministry of Sport and the BNSC resulted in Botswana forfeiting the right to host the second edition of the Grand Prix. Both the ministry and the BNSC accused Golden Door Sports Agency of failing to account for nearly P900,000 given to the agency as a grant.
Despite this conflict, Dube did not give up on his vision for the Grand Prix. Behind the scenes, he worked tirelessly to regain control of the event. Faced with the prospect of losing a race he had nurtured, the former Olympian even retired from his teaching job at the age of 45.
This sacrifice however seemed in vain as the BNSC and BAA eventually took control of the race, renaming it the Botswana Continental Tour. In a bid to appease Dube, they offered him a consulting role in the race, something which was viewed more as a token to buy his silence.
Despite being in a losing position, the former national team athlete was reportedly prepared to stage the event in the future, even without government involvement. For him, the driving force was to see local athletes getting international exposure in their own home ground.
Dube explained that his resignation was driven by his desire to focus entirely on the Grand Prix. By leaving his secular job, he wanted to devote his full attention to the event without conflict between his professional responsibilities and his passion project.
When contacted for comment, regarding the latest developments, Dube said “I will be happy if what belongs to me is given back to me.” He added, “It is my desire to see the Golden Grand Prix grow and develop local athletes to achieve international recognition. My dream is to see the race attain Diamond League status.”
Last week, Minister Kelebeng summoned the leadership of the BNSC and BAA to his office to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the Botswana Golden Grand Prix.
