Tuesday 13th August 2024
by TPA Watchman
It was a scene from a fairy tale!
Multitudes of Batswana flocked SSKIA, the country’s premiere airport in Gaborone on Tuesday 13th August 2024, some forming a beeline queue along the capital city’s roads, while thousands more waited at the national stadium to welcome Botswana’s Olympics heroes.
A historic feat on August 8th as local athlete, Letsile Tebogo won gold in the 200m finals during the Paris 2024 Olympics in France, was the source of the outpouring of collective joy in the country.
The cherry on top was the silver medals the 4×400 men’s relay team comprising Busang Kebinatshipi, Bayapo Ndori, Anthony Pesela and Letsile Tebogo scooped on Saturday August 10th setting an African record of 2:54.53 seconds to seal a historic Olympics feat for Botswana.
The gold in particular won by running a crazy 19.46 seconds in the 200m dash was Africa’s first and the world’s fifth fastest time ever ran in that category.
The euphoria, pomp and ceremony that attended the athletes’ return home was therefore fitting given they had suddenly catapulted themselves to sporting heroes and thrust the country’s name among the galaxy of sporting nations.
Dressed in the national blue, black and white colours the city erupted into a joyful cacophony. The young and old – foreigners and citizens, all immersed themselves in the nation’s glory, none caring for race affections or any such identity marker!
It was a sight to behold!
The President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, his wife, Mma Atsile, the Sports Minister Tuimiso Macdonald Rakgare, and the entire Cabinet as well as Members of Parliament took the afternoon off to welcome the Botswana Olympics team.
Screams and shouts of joy accompanied the team as they rode atop a bus specifically ordered to ferry them to the stadium.
Waving and gesturing to the mesmerised crowds lined along the capital’s streets, the team soaked into the moment, savouring every count while cameras streamed their epic reception across the width and breadth of the country.
Never had the country witnessed a spectacle of such magnitude. Indeed, the Olympics glory had arrived in Botswana, and Batswana turned up in their droves to become part of history making.
The atmosphere turned electric as the motorcade entered the national stadium and the 30, 000 capacity-strong crowd erupted into song, simultaneously chanting Letsile’s name!
Everyone inside the stadium was instantly transformed – they shouted, yelled, jumped, stomped their feet, clapped, screamed at the top of their voices, took selfies, filmed the entire scene for posterity’s sake.
Indeed, this moment will forever be etched in the annals of the country’s sporting history. A time when Batswana across the political, religious affiliations, social and economic standing or educational background, were united into a single cohesive unit by the prowess of its athletic heroes.
The accompanying rewards for the feat were equally appealing, in-fact, tempting and certainly a motivation for would-be athletes to aspire for greatness.
Minister Rakgare announced that two mansions were ready for Letsile, and a house each for the other silver medallists in the men’s 4×100 metres race! Besides the real estate, these athletes are assured instant wealth from endorsement deals that they will strike with international companies!
It certainly behoves the National Olympic Commission and the National Sports Commission to find suitable financial and legal advisors for the young athletes as they transition into a lap of luxury.
© TPA2024
