Botswana’s Paris 2024 Paralympics team has been implored to work hard and aim to finish in the podium at the next Paralympic Games. Despite not bringing any medal home from the Paris games, the team’s commitment, tremendous work and journey to compete in the games was recognised and appreciated.
At the team’s welcome home ceremony, the local Paralympics association was encouraged to commence preparations for the next Olympics very early, focusing on both physical and mental readiness.
Debswana Executive head of corporate services and company secretary Bonny Thebenyane assured the team it can reach a podium finish in the coming 2028 Los Angels Paralympics.
“We may not have reached the podium in Paris, the personal bests achieved by Edwin Masuge, Gloria Majaga, and the support teams are testament to their hard work and perseverance” he noted.
Thebenyane encouraged the Paralympics athletes to be inspired that with time they will bring glory back home. He observed Botswana in the main stream Olympics that stated in Mascow in 1980, the country got its first medal – silver in 2012 and it only got its Gold medal 44 years later during the Paris Olympics.
He further observed that the Paralympics foray started much later and the progress to date is encouraging. “I have no doubt whatsoever that the podium beckons very soon, as soon as Los Angeles in 2028.
For his part, athletes representative Edwin Masuge was optimistic that the next Olympics Paralympics team will bring glory to the country. He also encouraged PASSOB to start preparations in earnest to enable them to achieve their desired goals.
Masuge observed that competing against well established nations is a challenge. He said they can only outdo them if they prepare well in time, unlike in the current situation where they prepare just three or two weeks prior the commencement of the games. He assured the nation of a podium finish at the next Paralympics.
PASSOBO president, Tshepho Mafereka commended Debswana for supporting them during preparations and for their gesture after the games. He said it has proved that disability is not inability. He assured that there is a lot of talent that needs to be unearthed for the country to bring more success.
Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) chairperson Marumo Morule applauded the team for hard work they have put in place to compete in the games. The BNSC board chairperson promised that the commission will continue to engage and support Paralympics to come up with mechanisms to make sure they are adequately prepare for coming competitions.
Gloria Majaga and Edwin Masuge were given P20 000.00 each by Debswana while the other four teams members, Chef de mission, Tebogo Tshenyo, Pyscio Kaelo Kgosiyang, Katlego Maotwe coach and team manager, Boikanyo Ratlou were given P10 000.00 each.
