Botswana’s 2012 London Summer Olympics silver medallist, Nigel Amos, says the Queens Relay Baton should create the mood and fever for the coming Commonwealth Games for athletes and Batswana at large.
Amos who also participated in the Youth Commonwealth Games, in Isle of Man in 2011 told The Telegraph Sports that participating in the Relay would be as exciting to him as competing in the Commonwealth Games. “As athletes, we work towards achievement at major games. And to see the Baton and to get a chance to run with it challenges me to work even harder in preparation for the games in July,” he said.
Speaking from his training base in South Africa on Friday, Amos said as they get to interact with fellow athletes from all over the world at international games. He said this gives them a chance to share and exchange cultures as well as compete with each other.
Amos also said this Relay gives Batswana a chance to celebrate the games as participating athletes.
“For me it would be an honour to hold that baton. Especially that it will be received by the Presidency. I am very grateful for the opportunity,” said Amos.
He is among the four athletes, current and past, who will participate in the Queens Baton Relay this coming weekend. Another athlete who will be participating in this Relay is the former 400 meter specialist, California Molefe.
The first Motswana to win a silver medal at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championship and a 2007 All Africa Games gold medallist, Molefhe also urged Batswana to participate on the Queens Baton Relay.
He said that the Queens Baton Relay should be treated with the high respect it deserves as a high-profile event.
“The Queens Baton Relay is sent with a message from Her Majesty the Queen. Therefore Batswana must know that their participation in this event is critical as the message that it carries is not for the chosen few, but for all Batswana,” said Molefhe.
The Queens Relay Baton which serves as a curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games and also symbolises the coming together of the Commonwealth members is slated for next week from January 30 to the 31.
President Ian Khama will welcome the baton on the January 30 during an official welcome ceremony at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. The relay will commence at the Three Dikgosi Monument the following day with the baton going through several places such as local schools and places of historical and cultural significance.
