This week, the second Africa Youth Games will start in Gaborone.
It is a big event for our young athletes and indeed our country.
For many of them it is a dream come true, achieving what they have always wanted to do, which is to take part in sporting competitions of this magnitude.
Across the continent these games mean a big deal as shown by the fact that about 53 countries, which by the way is all of Africa, will be sending athletes.
Every country the continent over will be proud to host these games.
They offer an immeasurable sentimental value that no economic index can accurately put into context.
It is an event that inspires countries to rally around their flags and nationhood as they show rare causes of unity in a continent otherwise wrecked by ethnic division, political division, misery, plunder and official corruption.
While there are many issues of concern surrounding organization, as a newspaper we are of the view that the nation can afford to set those aside for the duration of the games, and instead focus all our attention on sportsmanship.
We cannot think of a bigger and more patriotic way of doing this than by going to the fields to lend our support to our various teams. We urge parents to also bring their little children to these events because they could provide a touchstone upon which future sporting legends are created.
Official information from organizers indicates that Botswana will host 2500 athletes. And this number excludes officials and of course the media contingents that will be covering many of the codes.
The number of people coming alone provides a big opportunity for both our tourism as well as business opportunities, especially for SMEs.
Like we say at this stage we have no appetite to point any fingers.
Our priority at this state is to rally the nation to make the best out of what we have. An opening ceremony will happen this week.
There is no greater success to it than watching Batswana who are the hosts coming in thousands to witness the event live.
It is very important that we create an image of a pleasant and indeed welcoming nation to the thousands of our guests so that they can take back a message of love and hospitality back to their respective countries.
We want to reconise all the companies that have made these games happen.
Without them not much would have been achieved.
It is our hope that by the time an audit is made of how the resources were used, a picture will emerge that those given the mandate and indeed public trust would emerge as trustworthy custodians so that we can set squabbling behind us as we move to more and bigger challenges that await this nation ahead.
Once again, we join those who say “Let the Games Begin…”
