RAKGARE LAUNCHES 2021 OLYMPIC DAY CELEBRATIONS

BY: Katlego Mechidi

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development, Honourable Tumiso Rakgari successfully launched the World Olympic day celebrations for the year 2021 at Lekidi Football Center on May 10.

TALKING POINTS

• Olympic Day is celebrated annually and globally in June 23
• This year’s Olympics day celebration challenge include 100, 200, 300 and 400 kilometers run
• Olympic day celebration is the day which the individuals are reminded to take responsibility for their own lives

RAKGARE SAYS GOVT RECOGNISES OLYMPIC DAY CELEBRATIONS

Minister Rakgare said the government takes notes and appreciate endeavors such as Olympic day celebrations which is aimed at encouraging and motivating people to participate in physical activities and playing active role in sports in general.

Rakgare explained that the Olympics movement is not simply about staged events which pick athletes against one another for a challenge of glory as most people perceive it to be, he said Olympism is a lifestyle and represent a cultural movement founded in the cornerstones of Olympics values of excellence, respect, and friendship.

The Minister commended  BNOC for their creative thinking in making this year’s Olympics day celebration virtual and highly interactive saying it is critical during these trying times to think of ways in which encourages the public whilst adhering to the protocol in place saying he wishes this to be done across all sporting fraternity.

“I urge the sporting fraternity to explore alternatives ways of returning to sports as we are battling for containing the spread of COVID-19”, said Rakgari.

Olympic day is a global celebration of the founding of the International Olympic Committee and the modern Olympic Movement by the Frenchman, Pierre de Coubertain in 1894. It is observed on the 23^rd of June every year all over the world by hundreds of thousands of people, both old and young participate in sports activities such as runs, exhibitions, music and educational seminars.

When giving the welcoming remarks during the Olympic day launch, Botswana National Olympics Committee board member as well as the chairperson of the Olympic Values Education Programme Sub Committee, Ms. Tebo Segaisi said the Olympic day celebration is the day which the individuals are reminded to take responsibility for their own lives saying they are challenged to take control and reclaim what they have lost in their lives.

OLYMPIC DAY COMMEMORATION ENABLES ONE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES

She observed that many times individuals get lost in their busy lives and end up forgetting the most important thing which is taking care of their selves.

“This day is dedicated to everyone, we are not talking about the athletes, nor the competitions or Olympic Games, we are talking about ourselves, we are the center of attraction”, said Segaisi.

Segaisi further noted that Olympism is a philosophy of life that sticks to create a way of life by blending a sport with culture and education saying international Olympics day, therefore, marks the celebration of sports and international cooperation.

Given the opportunity to speak, the ambassador to Botswana from France, Her Exellency Laurence Beau also appreciated BNOC for this year’s challenges which will run for six weeks from today until 23^rd of June saying it is a wonderful idea to bring physical activities to everybody as it is beneficial for physical wellbeing of the citizens.

She said she is so happy with the way women are involved in sports activities and the way Batswana loves sports in general saying Botswana is among the famous nation in the sports world more especially athletics.

“When I moved to Gaborone in 2019, I already knew Botswana athletes were famous, especially the middle distance runners, I didn’t knew that Botswana is a sport-loving nation”, said Beau.

This year’s Olympics day celebration challenge include 100, 200, 300 and 400 kilometers run which everyone is encouraged to register through the stravar app as it is virtual due to COVID-19 global pandemic.