E100k gifts for Olympians
MBABANE – The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have come with some goodies f or i ts athletes including the four to represent Eswatini as of today until August 8.
The two athletes, swimmer Robyn Young and boxer Thabiso Dlamini who are already i n Tokyo received their E25 000 worth welcome gifts and it is expected that the other two, swimmer Simanga Dlamini and sprinter Sibusiso ‘ Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa will receive theirs when they join the team before July 30.
These gifts include the expensive Samsung Galaxy S21 cellphone valued at over E10 000 and its said to be the most expensive of the items.
Team Eswatini’s Chef de Mission Pearl Dlamini confirmed the latest news which she described as motivating to the athletes ahead of the opening ceremony today. Young will be the country’s flag bearer.
Dlamini said the welcome gifts are for all participating athletes in the Games which were postponed last year due to COVID- 19. “They got their gifts worth E25 000 and these include a Samsung Galaxy S21 mobile phone, accessories like wireless earphones and speakers and water bottles,” she said.
Sponsored
On top of these, the four athletes will also receive competing outfits worth E10 000 each which are sponsored by giant companies Speedo and Nike. Swimmer Young and boxer Thabiso have already got their kits.
Speedo is dressing the swimmers while Nike sponsors athletics and boxing participants. “Thabiso is sponsored by Nike and his competition attires ( red and blue) include Nike boots, shorts, tracksuit, and bag, long sleeve T- shirt and mask. Robyn is sponsored by Speedo and her competing attire also includes the same as Thabiso’s,” said Dlamini.
Thabiso will compete tomorrow while Robyn is expected to compete on July 30. “We will have the opening ceremony tomorrow ( today) where Robyn will be our flag bearer. We are placed number 32 in marching order in as far as opening ceremony is concerned. This means that this is where our athlete Robyn will be seen hoisting our flag in the opening ceremony,” she said.
Besides the athletes, there are also coaches for the competing codes who travelled to the Games as well.