Covid- 19 trips horse racing craze Sport code in the process of affiliating to the BNSC
Horse stables struggling with maintenance of thoroughbreds
The Covid- 19 pandemic aftershock has adversely affected the booming horse racing industry that was taking off at a rapid pace across the country.
Prior to the pandemic, the horse racing industry was one of the fastest growing sporting codes in the country as horse enthusiasts and the public at large were being drawn to the race tracks across the country. The most prominent of the events was perhaps, the Mascom Derby staged annually in Maun.
Before the COVID - 19 pandemic struck, local organisers, with the involvement of the City council, were on the verge of hosting the much hyped Gaborone July. Despite the industry taking off like a rocket ship, the sporting code is yet to affiliate with the Botswana National Sports Commission ( BNSC) although the Botswana Horse Racing Association ( BHRA) president Timon Kelebeng said they are close to being ecognised as a legit affiliate.
“We do not have affiliate clubs so far but we have close to 30 members. The plan is to encourage the formation of horse racing clubs as our intention is to affiliate with the BNSC but currently now we are open to individual members.” Furthermore, Kelebeng explained how the ripple effects of the Covid19 pandemic was hurting local racing horse owners. “You will understand that we have thoroughbred horses that compete in racing events.
We also have Tswana horses but most of the race events include thoroughbred horses and we now have issues taking care of the horses after the pandemic,” said Kelebang who owns the TT Horse racing stable in Motokwe. “Horses are fed at their stables and this is very expensive. A single horse can consume 6kg per day and a 40kg bag of feed can fetch up to P300.” Kelebeng further explained that stables can own up to seven thoroughbreds and monthly expenditure for a single horse can go up to P1200.00.
“We have also hired jockeys to race and care for the horses and they are entitled to payments every month”. Furthermore, Kelebeng said horse racing stables could win prize monies up to P23 000 from popular events like the Mascom Derby which helped them in the maintenance of the stables. “Thus
far we are trying to build up horse racing locally and the industry has a lot of potential as it generates billions in countries like South Africa and Britain but in Botswana we are yet to realise this.”
Before the sports industry was paralysed by the COVID- 19 pandemic, numerous horse racing events were held across the country including the Mascom Derby, Motoko June Challenge, Kolotsha July and the Ghanzi show.
According to Kelebeng, the last horse racing event held in the country was in Motokwe last year December. Meanwhile, Kelebeng said the BHRA is currently considering streaming live race events so that they have activities but in the meantime they will be waiting for guidance from local health authorities until sports reopens.