Team Botswana Covid-19 free
by the COVID -19 Pandemic. Speaking at the sending off ceremony this past Tuesday, Team Botswana Chef de Mission, Thato Sitale said all local athletes underwent COVID -19 testing, the day before and they all tested negative.
Officiating at the national team send off ceremony attended by the Minister of Sport, Tumiso Rakgare,
Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) and Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) officials, Sitale said there has been so much uncertainty surrounding the games. “There was not only a lot of uncertainty surrounding the games, but a threat to humanity as well. We are happy that the government of Japan and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) worked hard to host the games,” Sitale said.
Furthermore, the Chef de Mission said the Olympic team have heightened their resolve ahead of the games. “For the first time, we have new sporting codes in weightlifting and women boxing.” Sitale further explained that they will be sending a delegation of 30 men and women to the games who will ensure that the country is well represented. For his part the BNSC chairman, Marumo Morule, applauded the athletes who have qualified for the games, adding that they were not handpicked but rather qualified on merit.“The Olympics is one of the pinnacles of sport and it takes resolve and hard work to qualify,” he said. Furthermore, Morule applauded the auxiliary staff that play a supporting role in sport. “I want to stress the role played by the coaches, medical team, volunteers as well as sponsors for their relentless effort to ensure that the team is there.” The Olympic team consists of mostly familiar faces in track and field such as Isaac Makwala, Nijel Amos, Leungo Scotch, Amantle Montsho, Christine Botlogetswe, Galefele Moroko and the 4x400m men’s team. The team further includes Mohamed Otukile and Keamogetse Kenosi in boxing while James Freeman and Magdeline Moyengwa will represent swimming and weightlifting respectfully.