Kenosi in ‘shock’ after omission
Keamogetse Sadie Kenosi has lost out on the Olympics Solidarity scholarships and a place in the boxing Commonwealth Games team. When the beneficiaries of the Paris 2024 Olympics Solidarity scholarships were announced this week, Kenosi’s name was not included. The scholarships are for the preparations towards and qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Boxing has one beneficiary in Rajab Otukile Mohammed.
Kenosi told Mmegi Sport that losing her spot in the national team and being excluded from the scholarship came as a shock.
“When I asked for an explanation why I was omitted, I was informed that I am not active. What surprises me is that Rajab and I have not competed since our return from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. But he is in the national team. I competed in the Olympics last year and there were no sporting activities in Botswana, which means everyone was not active,” a disappointed Kenosi said.
Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) president, Gilbert Khunwane told Mmegi Sport that they had a deadline of January 17 that was set by the Botswana National Olympic Committee’s (BNOC) Local Organising Committee (LOC), to have submitted the Commonwealth Games team.
“We did not submit Kenosi as part of the team because she was not available in all the tournaments that were held since sport returned in October. We did not know where she was and what she was doing. It does not mean that she is not our boxer or
we have thrown her away,” he said.
Khunwane said during such times when people are dealing with COVID-19, it is safer to submit an active player. He said only the names of active players are submitted.
He said the submission for the Commonwealth Games has been closed. The men’s team comprises Mohammed and George Molwantwa. Women boxers, Lethabo Modukanele and Aratwa Kasemang complete the team.
“We have recently seen Kenosi participating in some tournaments, so we would monitor her and include her in other programmes. If she is available, we have her in our Olympics plans,” he said.
Meanwhile, Khunwane said it is important to assist Kenosi with psychological assistance. He said the matter has been discussed together with her club, DTCB as being excluded might affect her.
However, Khunwane said Kenosi has been offered the continental scholarship.
“We are still trying to find out what continental scholarship entails because it is the first time that we have seen it. We are yet to hear from the BNOC,” Khunwane said.