TEAM BOTSWANA SETTLES FOR POSITION 2 AT REGION 5 GAMES

By Katlego Mechidi

Team Botswana has settled for position two in combined medal count at the just ended African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 games which took place from the 3^rd to the 12^th of December 2021 in Maseru, Lesotho.

Botswana scooped a total of 64 medals of which 24 are gold, 21 silvers and 19 bronze medals which settled the blue, black and white nation in position two in combined medal count after the overall winner South Africa bagged a total of 75 medals.

A total of 174 athletes was sent to Lesotho and the sporting code which represented the country was basketball, gymnastics, taekwondo, netball, football, boxing, swimming, volleyball, tennis, athletics and judo.

Out of 64 medals, athletics scooped a total of 30 medals with 16 gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals from different disciplines of track and field event, athletics VI a total of 12 medals with three gold, seven silver and three bronze. Taekwondo won a total of seven medals with two gold, two silver and three bronze, tennis brought home three medals being two gold and a silver, basketball salvaged two medals being a silver and bronze, boxing won two bronze medals, volleyball won two medals being a gold and silver. Football bagged one medal which is silver whereas swimming a bronze.

It is the first time team Botswana reach such exceptional position at the region 5 games since its participation and it is a great advantage for the team considering the fact that the selected team was younger which can be further polished and being further exposed to conquer the world in big international events in the coming years.

MEDAL HOLDERS 

Volleyball boys became the champions after walloping Zimbabwe 3-0 in the final whereas the girls settled for silver after a narrow loss of 3-2 against Lesotho.

Judo team delivered the medals through Batlang Kenosi in U55kg (silver), Lulu Radifeisi U48kg (silver), Tshegofatso Kwadibanyana U57kg (bronze) and Kevin Jane in U66kg (bronze)

In tennis Tshegofatso Tsiang won gold in girls singles after withdrawal of South Africa’s Line Greyling, Chelsea Chakanyuka and Tshegofatso Tsiang settled for silver in girls doubles losing 7-6, 6-3 against South Africa.

Taekwondo bagged gold medal through Kaone Tshepe in 68kg and Kitso Kula in male under 51kg, Amantle Nthubu walked with silver in 46kg category Tshelang Thekiso and Trish Molefinyane  won bronze in males and females under 48kg respectively and Denzel Matlapeng scooped a bronze medal in 63kg,

Boxing bagged three bronze medals through Onalethata Motlhalaakgosi in 53kg who lost against South Africa’s Tigetso Matikinca, Shathiso Makhani in 62 kg and Nametsegang Mmereki in 50kg

Swimming team settled for a bronze in men’s U20 4X100m in team made of Keitsile Gaamangwe, Fisher Ethan, Harry Ethan and Gondo Takundanashe.

Under 17 football girls settled for silver after being defeated 4 nil against Zambia and were crowned with the fair play award.

Basketball scooped silver in boys after being defeated by Zambia 69-40 whereas girls settled for a bronze.

athletics scooped a total of 16 gold medals through Omphile thuso in U18 men 100m, collen Kebusatshipi in U18 men 400m, Letlhogonolo Mokgethi in Men U18 800m, Letlhogonolo Mokgethi in Men U18 1500m, Thapelo Galeboe in Men U18 3000m, Thapelo Galeboe in Men U18 2000m SteepleChase, Phetso Vusa in Men U18 110m Hurdles, Fela Seboka in Women U18 400m Hurdles, Denny Leitseng in Men U18 400m Hurdles, Goitseone Joel in Women U18 High Jump, Thuto Odumetse in Men U18 Shot Put, , Women U18 1,2,3,4-00 relay, Men U18 1,2,3,4-00 relay

seven silver through Lundi Pinaemang in U18 men 100m, Tumiso Gabonamang in U18 men 400m, Taelo Sashamba in Men U18 2000m SteepleChase, Tumelo Ratlhogo in Women U18 Shotput, Moatlhodi Johannes in Men U18 Shot Put, Women U18 4X100m relay, Men U18 4X400m relay,     and

Seven bronze through Galaletsang Gabalotlegwe in Women U18 100m, Diteko Ketlhomphilwe in Women U18 800m, Olebogeng Segolame in Women U18 1500m, Phenyo Lebakeng in Men U18 High Jump, Thabo Thabaki in Men U18 Long Jump, Thabo Thabaki in Men U18 Triple Jump,

Athletics VI bagged three gold through Botlhe Mopalo in 100m Girls T12 and 200m Girls 17 T12 and Theo Nkele in 200m Boys 17 T13, six silver through Kago Sebaraboyi in 100m Boys 17 T11, Phemo Karenna in 100m Boys 17 T12 and 200m Boys 17 T12, Keamogetse Serepelele in Boys 17 T11, Amantle Makhura in 800m Girls 17 T13 and three bronze through Amantle Makhura in 400m Girls 17 T13 , Theo Nkele in 400m Boys 17 T13 and Mpho Tinye 800m Boys 17 T11,