Diary of the games
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Kutlwano
Location : GABORONE
Event : Africa Youth Games 2014
Despite a grand opening ceremony, Team Botswana failed to sustain the excitement in football that day, losing 0-2 to Nigeria in the opening match.
Table tennis also suffered the same fate after failing to advance to the quarter finals following a series of defeats in the preliminaries and group stages.
Basketball was also not as fortunate asfter they were trounced before medal stage but received a consolation prize in the form of a silver medal.
More effort is needed to up the game in canoeing, cycling, fencing, football, golf, rowing, rugby, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, volleyball after they failed to rise to the occasion.
Nonetheless, netball fought fiercely to reach medal stage. The team narrowly escaped defeat in its opening game against Zimbabwe winning 39-38. However, it was not to be against Kenya, losing with a close margin of 39-40. Swaziland was next on the menu and Botswana made total annihilation winning 89-19.
Botswana went on to prove its mettle, defeating Namibia 57-44 to move to the medal stage where they settled for bronze. Rugby was not as fortunate asfter losing all their games to finish last in the seven countries that competed. They lost to Tunisia 33-0, Namibia 33-7 and Zimbabwe 52-0.
Judo did not disappoint as Thabang Mofokeng and Memory Zikhale bagged silver and bronze medals respectively. Cyclists had it tough as none of the riders reached medal stage. Despite the poor showing, the team enjoyed support from its fanatics despite having only two months to prepare.
Contesting against countries such as South Africa came in handy for the Botswana pack. Meanwhile, to excel in such an event there is need for more competitions to improve one`s skill.
Naomi Ruele did not disappoint the multitudes of fans who thronged the University of Botswana swimming pool as she bagged two silver medals.
She garnered a silver medal in the women`s 50m freestyle and another in the 50m backstroke. David Van Der Colff also registered a bronze medal hence the duo`s efforts saw Botswana finishing in eighth position.
While Badminton performed below par, they marked their presence in the games by winning two bronze medals. Tumisang Olekantse won a bronze in singles and another in the men`s doubles with teammate Tshepo Perekisi.
Although the rowing team finished last, they received a standing ovation from spectators who went to Gaborone Dam in numbers to watch the newly introduced sport discipline.
Taekwondo fighters, Muhammed Desai, Thato Phatsimo-Tau and Tshephang Koosenye, won two silver medals and a bronze respectively in individual categories.
Botswana boxers fought fiercely to ensure that the medal tally increased as female combatant, Keamogetse, humbled her Algerian opponent Chahira Selmouni in the women`s lightweight final. Botswana`s heroine won by a wide margin of 3-0. Her male teammate, Mahommed Otukile, increased the medal count by snatching another gold after eclipsing his Ethiopian rival, Zrgaw Mohamed, via a split decision of 2-1.
Apart from the two gold medals, the camp also snatched three bronze medals, two from female boxers, Koketso Dipogiso and Katlego Olatotse and another from Kutlwano Ogaketse. Over the years, Botswana boxing has done well in both regional and international meets. They have added another dimension in the development of the sport, female boxers.
Just like in other international meets, the just ended AYG proved once again that athletics is the most appealing discipline in multi-sport games as spectators crammed the stands at the National Stadium on June 28-31 to watch track events.
Team Botswana produced two gold medals from 400m runner, Karabo Sibanda`s sheer brilliance. Karabo took to the track on Ascension Day and he lived up to the day as he wowed the crowd that came in large numbers to a crescendo.
It was an emotional moment for Batswana. Sprinters Amantle Montsho and Nijel Amos` triumphs in international competitions have undoubtedly cultivated the love for athletics among Batswana. To add cherry on top, sprinter Baboloki Thebe, also scooped a gold medal in 200m and bronze in 100m.
Despite the small budget athletics receives for development programmes, the association continues to produce promising athletes.
Meanwhile, the curtain dropped in style with thumbing sounds of the theme song, Celebrate Africa, so fitting.
The excited crowd who earlier on witnessed the 200m medal ceremony, were on cloud nine. The volunteers and teams` parades spurred the already charged mood. Botswana was in full swing.
Although the closing was not as fancy as the opening ceremony, most people felt honoured to have been part of this history! Until we meet again in Algiers! ENDS
Teaser:
Despite a grand opening ceremony, Team Botswana failed to sustain the excitement in football that day, losing 0-2 to Nigeria in the opening match. Table tennis also suffered the same fate after failing to advance to the quarter finals following a series of defeats in the preliminaries and group stages.
