LADIES IN THE LIMELIGHT

IN an effort to shine a light on the achievements of local females in sport, Inside BW Women Sports, in collaboration with Women and Sports Botswana (WASBO), will host the first ever ‘Botswana Women Sports Awards’.

ae Set for 25th March in Gaborone, the first-of-itskind event was officially launched this Tuesday.

To enter, hopefuls must download an application form from the organisers’ Facebook page, fill it in and upload their profiles. Their sporting code administrator will also have to sign for them, with the application then emailed to the address provided.

An adjudication committee will decide the winners, who will receive cash prizes and trophies, although the amounts are yet to be confirmed.

The idea is to recognise and celebrate the country’s female athletes, coaches, teams, administrators and umpires across the different sporting codes. The awards will also pay tribute to organisations and men who have contributed to the growth of women’s sports in Botswana.

Speaking at this week’s launch, Inside BW Women Sports CEO, Kesego Okie, admitted gender parity in sport is a global concern, with female athletes receiving far less recognition than their male counterparts.

“The awards are a platform that aspires to contribute towards closing this gap by driving change in perceptions, stereotypes and growth in women in sport participation on the field and administratively,” Okie stated.

Giving the keynote address, BNSC Vice Chairperson, Tebogo LebotseSebego, reiterated the commission’s desire to help push ladies’ sport to new heights locally.

“To emphasise our commitment, last year, the commission introduced a diversity, equality and inclusion policy with principles that will guide our delivery around diversity and inclusion going forward. Our endorsement of this initiative specifically speaks to that,” said Lebotse-sebego.