P8 million for Gabs Grand Prix
“It is an expensive exercise, there is a need to pay for their (athletes) appearances, accommodation and flight tickets, so it is not cheap, it will cost well over P8 million,” a close informant highlighted.
There is however no doubt that the event will take place on the 29th of April, 2023.
Speaking during a press briefing in Gaborone on Tuesday, World Athletics representative, Robert Wagner shared that the government’s support towards the event is a positive indication that the event will be successful.
“I have been travelling around the world for 30 years and I’ve never seen a strong support from government for a sport event. This gave us the confidence that this meet and this event will be delivered properly as it now has the Gold standards. I would like to thank everyone for their support and I have no doubt that the event organisers, Golden Door sports agency will deliver a world class event. There have been many people here who have seen world class events and know what it takes and how it works,” Wagner shared.
Botswana was moved from bronze to gold status, skipping silver, and Wagner indicated that the change came about because of the recent impressive performances by local athletes at world event and also the trust between the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) and the Botswana government.
The country will host the event for the next three (3) years and the agreement can be terminated if the event does not meet the required standards.
When giving his remarks at the press briefing, the Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Kitso Kemoeng highlighted that it is imperative for Botswana to deliver a successful event as it could go a long way to promote sports tourism and inspire young athletes to view athletics as a sport that one can make life out of. Kemoeng emphasized that the government will support the event anyhow possible to ensure that it meets the required standards.
“Without interfering, government is closely looking to engage with relevant stakeholders to take this vision to reality as part of general sport developments that are being pursued through existing structures.
Botswana should, in not so long a time, dominate international meets such as the golden diamond leagues and others as the country set to be ranked amongst the best in the world,” Kemoeng shared.
The Permanent Secretary further implored the private sector to come on board and be partners in ensuring that the event becomes a success.
Whilst there is excitement that world athletics stars are to descend in the country come end of April next year, there are also concerns by close observers that, with DOHA Diamond league set to follow just two days after the local event, athletes and their managers may opt not to honour the invite of the local organizers.
“We have very close relations with the Doha Diamond League organizers and we will make sure that the events are coordinated such that athletes will come over to Botswana and we will try to make the travelling arrangements as economic as possible, we would like to be in partnership with Doha when it comes to logistics for this event,” Wagner responded to the question from this publication.