Category: Sports

The journey toward hosting one of the most prestigious events on the global sporting calendar, the World Athletics Relays in May 2026, has received a monumental boost this week with the unveiling of three key corporate partners.Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited, Halfway Toyota and the Diamond College of Botswana have stepped forward as official sponsors, securing the necessary support to make the highly anticipated event to be held in Gaborone a reality.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, hailed the upcoming relays as a historic moment for Botswana and Africa.

“World Athletics Relay Gaborone 2026, has to be one of the events that will never be erased from the global history books, Minister Kelebeng said.He thanked the new partners, saying that their shared vision was crucial for making the monumental event a possibility.Again, he said the sponsorships would resonate far beyond the stadium and shape the country’s narrative and drive economic transformation, through the revitalisation of the hospitality sector and growth for small businesses by attracting athletes, officials, fans and media from around the globe.“Sports stand out as a key engine for tourism, business, and global reputation and through your partnerships, Botswana can continue to stand tall as a formidable competitor among nations,” he said.

Gaborone City mayor, Oarabile Motlaleng, celebrated the hosting of the event as a powerful catalyst for urban development.

“Hosting the event is a catalyst for transformation across urban development, enhancing infrastructure and igniting a renewed sense of civic pride in every neighbourhood,” Motlaleng said. He emphasised that the influx of global visitors presented an opportunity to stimulate the local economy and create lasting legacies in tourism and urban amenities.

He thus called upon sponsors to further partner with the Gaborone City Council to enhance the host city’s aesthetics, adding that the council was fully mobilised to ensure world-class standards of cleanliness, smooth traffic flow and public safety throughout the event.

“We are engaging our communities, vendors, transport operators and youth to ensure that the entire city is aligned, informed and enthusiastic,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited pledged a sponsorship worth over P3 million.

Halfway Toyota would provide logistical support with a sponsorship valued at P15 million, supplying 30 vehicles to support the transportation needs of the Local Organising Committee (and other officials.

Diamond College of Botswana committed to providing the official hardware, pledging 120 gold, silver and bronze medals, each engraved with a diamond. 

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has renewed its recognition of Botswana Tennis coaches education system to white level for the period 2025–2029.

Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) president, Oaitse Thipe, said in an interview that the renewal meant that BTA was now self-sufficient in training coaches up to the Play and Stay coaching level.

He said this means the country has an adequate number of qualified tutors who can conduct coaching courses and issue certifications locally.

“This really means a lot to the Botswana Tennis Association. It shows that the world tennis governing body trusts us to ensure that coaching standards across the country are being met,” he said.

Thipe noted that the renewed recognition would enable the association to host advanced-level coaching courses next year with a well-prepared pool of local coaches.

He said it was therefore crucial for the national tennis federation’s coaching education system to remain standardised. This includes having a consistent training plan for all coaches, a licensing system, and an operational coaches commission to ensure that only licensed coaches are utilised.

Botswana earned the renewed recognition after the ITF, together with its Coaches Commission, established criteria and minimum standards for coach education systems, which were later adopted by the ITF Board of Directors.

According to a letter from the ITF, these criteria and coaching competencies for various levels were developed to ensure quality standards in coaching education globally and to allow the evaluation of member nations’ systems.

Game Mompe is pedalling her way to the pinnacle of international cycling governance.

This follows an announcement that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has officially appointed her as a member of the UCI BMX Freestyle Commission for the prestigious 2025–2029 term, a move that significantly elevates her growing influence within the global cycling community.The appointment, confirmed via a press release from the Botswana Cycling Association (BCA), places Mompe within the specialist bodies established by the UCI Management Committee.These bodies are crucial to the UCI’s mission and governed and advanced cycling worldwide by developing strategic and regulatory recommendations that shaped the evolution of their respective disciplines.Mompe is now part of an elite, diverse group of experts and athlete representatives hailing from cycling powerhouses like Denmark, New Zealand, Germany and Japan.Her presence marks a significant moment, ensuring a fresh, African perspective is brought to the table for the strategic development of BMX Freestyle on the global stage.UCI president, David Lappartient, confirmed Mompe’s appointment, expressing strong confidence in her future contributions. He anticipates that her input will be positive and constructive for the continued development of cycling worldwide.Mompe’s UCI role is the crowning achievement in what has been a truly remarkable year of success in sport governance. Her appointment is the culmination of a series of achievements that have rapidly accelerated her trajectory, including her election as Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) vice president earlier this year.She has also made history by becoming the first Motswana to be appointed to the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC), establishing a significant milestone for Botswana’s presence and voice within continental sport governance.For the Botswana Cycling Association (BCA), Mompe’s appointment holds immense national significance as the association anticipates that her new role will deliver several key benefits to the country as well increase Botswana’s exposure to the BMX discipline, which is a fast-growing Olympic sport.The role further provides direct access to international expertise and development pathways and this comes at a crucial time, as the BCA is currently undergoing internal discussions regarding the introduction of BMX in Botswana.Leveraging Mompe’s new international platform, the BCA aims to create new opportunities for youth participation, talent identification and the diversification of the nation’s cycling portfolio.

The air in Kgale View, Gaborone sizzled with anticipation yesterday, as 2024 Paris Olympic champion, Letsile Tebogo received the keys to a brand-new house, a gift befitting his golden performance and celebration of a historic achievement that had put Botswana on the global map.

The Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, handed over the three-bedroom property, valued at P2.1 million and sitting on a 562-square-metre plot.

The handover, cemented government’s commitment of fulfilling its pledge to reward exceptional sporting achievement.

“This is a promise made to the athletes that anyone who does exceptionally well and brings home a medal will be awarded accordingly,” Minister Kelebeng said.

He highlighted the collaborative effort behind the gesture, which included the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), the ministry and the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC), who worked seamlessly with developer, Time Projects to ensure that the house was completed on schedule and tailored to the athlete’s needs.

The Minister praised Tebogo as a household name both locally and internationally and emphasised that his unprecedented success continued to inspire many young Batswana athletes to dream beyond limits.

Tebogo, whose blistering pace shattered records in Paris and made history as Africa’s first-ever 200m Olympic gold medallist, accepted the honour with grace and gratitude.

He acknowledged that the gesture not only recognised his past victory, but strengthened his determination to keep excelling on the global stage.

Tebogo also shared a message from his teammates that elicited applause from the attendees.

“I have also been sent by the other athletes to tell you, Minister, to prepare more houses, because more wins are coming back home,” said the Olympic champion.

Botswana Athletics Association acting president, Oabona Theetso, said the reward would serve as a strong motivational tool ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, adding that athletes were determined to raise the national medal tally.

He acknowledged that the bar had been set and said, “I will be very happy this time around if a female athlete becomes the next recipient of a house. 

Glody Dube International School and Sports Academy in Modipane is set to host the Golden Door Sports Agency Botswana International Cross-Country Marathon billed for December 13.

In an interview, Golden Door Sports Agency co-founder, Glody Dube, said they were ready to host the cross-country marathon and significant progress had been made in preparations for the meet.

Dube said it was important to share their event calendar with stakeholders now that their event marked its debut after World Athletics granted it Bronze status.

He said they were determined to organise world-class events where talent was groomed and international athletes participated to give the event a higher status.

athletes from countries like Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia and South Sudan had confirmed their participationHe added that, and he was eager to see them take part in the cross-country event.

“This is a professional event where participants expect to be awarded for their performance. Therefore, the upgraded status comes with competitive prize money and senior men and women winners in the 10km race will walk away with US$ 1 000 ( about P14, 700), second runners-up with US$ 600 (about P8,800) and the third runner-up with US$ 400 (about P5,900),” he said.

He further said there were junior categories, which would include an 8km race for men and a 6km race for women, while the youth category would feature a 6km race for boys and a 4km race for girls.

Currently, Dube said they did not have a title sponsor and called on potential sponsors to come forward and partner with them.

However, he thanked Modipane Guest House for partnering with them to accommodate all their athletes, which he said would simplify logistics like transportation during the event.

He also indicated that they had invited organisers who ran similar events so that they can share experiences and discuss the challenges of preparing meets of such magnitude.

Local Organising Committee (LOC) member, Harold Mosomane, said their duties included organising events under the umbrella of the Golden Door Sports Agency.

Mosomane said they were currently organising five annual events, and the Botswana International Cross-Country, which would be held at the Glody Dube International School and Sports Academy in Modipane, required a budget of over P700 000.

He confirmed that they currently had no sponsors for the event except, for a contribution of P30,000 received from Abotlhe Juice.

He reiterated that they did not have a title sponsor and called on all sponsors to come on board, highlighting that they would be given marketing and publicity rights. Mosomane added that they were currently negotiating with other potential sponsors and remained hopeful of a positive outcome.

He pointed out that a significant setback was that some potential sponsors targeted more popular events like the Golden Prix, and therefore, a lot of education must be done to show them the importance of supporting other events like the Botswana International Cross-Country.

“We will continue to seek sponsorship for other events in the sports agency’s calendar and we remain hopeful that sponsors will assist,” he said.

Mosomane further implored the corporate world to support locally organised events and would in turn reap the fruits of their labour in the near future. 

Tonota FC, affectionately known as Sepondo se a debola, have on Saturday, secured a crucial 1-0 victory against Ferry Wanderers to extend their dominance and unbeaten streak at the top of the First Division North.

The result cements their commanding 10-point lead, taking their total to 32 points. While the league leaders celebrated the win, post-match interviews from both benches offered a pragmatic tactical assessment from the winning coach and encouragement for the defeated side.

In a post-match interview, Tonota FC head coach, Thaloba Nthaga, admitted that his players did not have their best game, which accounted for the narrow scoreline, courtesy of an early Odirile Lekoba goal in the 13^th minute.

Nthaga said football was about collecting points and vowed to continue prioritising wins and leave no room for complacency.

Their current run, characterised by an unbeaten record and significant goal difference, reflects a focused drive to gain promotion to the FNB Premiership and establish Tonota as a formidable force in elite football.

Their passionate fan base, who pack the grounds wearing club merchandise, are a crucial element of the club’s identity and recent success.

On the opposing bench, Ferry Wanderers’ coach, Murphy Maseko, said he was happy about his players’ performance despite the defeat.

Maseko praised his side for creating chances that were often denied by Tonota’s goalkeeper. He felt his team deserved at least a point, though he admitted they were up against a highly motivated and top-of-the-table side.

Meanwhile, Tonota FC’s unwavering pursuit of promotion now takes them to Mahalapye to face BR Highlanders.

The fixture represents a challenging test against an experienced club fighting to regain their former top-flight status.

BR Highlanders, alias Stimela, boast significant history, having first secured promotion to the Premier League in the 2012 season and winning the First Division North title again in the 2017-18 season.

Their current position means they are also aiming for an immediate return to the elite league.

The challenge for the Tonota side, however, is that playing away in Mahalapye against a team with recent Premier League history would demand both resilience and discipline. The match would be a critical examination of Tonota FC’s approach.

Tonota FC are currently on a run of at least five consecutive wins, a streak that reflects strong management, coaching and passionate supporter backing.

All eyes would be on whether Coach Nthaga’s strategy of prioritising points over aesthetics can continue to deliver three points against the formidable BR Highlanders in their next fixture. 

The Botswana Chess Federation national youth team is in Zimbabwe for the 16^th edition of African Youth Chess Championship, which started on December 6 until 14.

The team will compete in the Under-8 category, which has Saishanvi Reddy Nalamalpu, Morena Mokefane and Rhea Lekoape.

In the under-10 category, the team has Ngwao Keoletile, Cherillath Kandamangalam, Atang Amen Fidzani, Paul Peloentle-Bayani, Rethabile Pitso whereas Onthatile Maruatona, Abrar Quadsia Toor and Karla Makgabana make up the Under-12 team.

 Adeola Moshoboro, Eesha Reddy Nalamalpu, Omaatla Mogwere, Keaboka Cleo Rankwane, Gouthum Babu Suresh and Wu Zeyin will represent the nation in the under-14 category whereas in the under-16 there is Laone Moshoboro and Noor Fatima Toor. Natalie Banda, Romeo Oabile and Darius Banda will represent Botswana in the under-18 category.

In an interview, the federation’s public relations officer, Goitsemodimo Makgatle said the team, which is under the tutelage of Vincent Masole and Pudungwane Lesole, would compete against Africa’s best chess players, with the hope of winning medals and attaining international ratings while gaining valuable experience for future championships.

Prior to their departure on Friday, she said the federation hosted a high-performance training camp for the team in Gaborone.

She said the programme focused on three key areas of competitive excellence such as calculation and defensive, systems of thinking in chess as well as practical game application.

The camp, she said, also emphasised discipline, focus and teamwork, which were the qualities of essential for success both on and off the chess board.

Three table tennis whiz kids, Reneilwe Lekorwe, Carol David and Boitlamo Nkele left for Dammam, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for the World Table Tennis Youth Contender Series 2025, which starts from December 7 to10.

The tournament consists of under-11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 categories with mixed doubles in the under-15 and 19 categories for both boys and girls.

The three players had a very good year as they have displayed mouthwatering performances on various table tennis competitions both locally and internationally.

Recently, they were issued a sponsorship by a South African veteran, Luke Abrahams, the founder and director of Just Table Tennis after dazzling at the Jwaneng Open Table Tennis Tournament.

In an interview, Botswana Table Tennis Association public relations officer, Tshegofatso Malepa, said the team under the mentorship of Brown Sebokolodi and Emmah Lelatisitswe, were picked through national team selection, which was performance based. 

She said Lekorwe also was offered a sponsorship by ITTF Africa after finishing 11^th in last year’s Africa Youth Championships.

Lekorwe’s sponsorship allowed him to use the US$800 in any competition of his choice, said Malepa.

Furthermore, she said Lekorwe and Nkele were also offered a sponsorship by Botswana National Olympic Committee christened Olympic Solidarity, which was still active.

The duo, Malepa explained were also offered another sponsor by Stag Global that provided them with attires and all gaming accessories for any competition that they were part of adding that for these achievements they booked their tickets to represent the country at Dammam.

As for David, Malepa said she was offered a sponsorship by Botswana National Sport Commission to make the three players for Team Botswana.

“All these three players are national team players. You can recall that they were in a national team that went to Namibia therefore they were still within the means of benefiting from these programmes whilst in the national team,” Malepa.

Meanwhile, another duo of national team players, Briannah Mogaladi and Thato Kgongwan will head to Angola for the Africa Youth Championships.

The team, coached by Godirileone Bagwasi, will start their competition from December 10 until 20.

Expectations are high as Botswana netball national teams descend upon the capital City of Malawi, Lilongwe to compete at the Africa Netball Cup 2025 at the Griffin Saenda Sports Complex from December 8 to 14.

Having previously missed the tournament in Namibia, which affected their rankings, it is now Botswana’s time to redeem its pride at the continental tournament.

Before departing for Malawi on Thursday, the team had been camping in Jwaneng honing their skills and competed at the SPAR Championship Tournament, which gave coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm, the opportunity to try some combinations and other new tactics before start of the tournament.

The 11 countries expected to compete in both men and women categories are Botswana, South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia, Kenya, eSwatini and the host Malawi.

Botswana women, will face Africa netball’s powerhouse, Uganda in their opening match on Monday and take on Tanzania on Wednesday. The team will then play their last fixture in the pool against Zimbabwe.

The men’s side will take on Uganda on Tuesday, Zimbabwe on Thursday.

Despite facing tough fixtures, Botswana Netball Association (BONA) spokesperson, Regent Pitso remained resolute that the teams were determined to deliver.

He believed that the monthly camps that were held in Jwaneng had fully prepared the teams.

Furthermore, he is of the view that playing a Test Series with eSwatini recently and the SPAR Championship Tournament had also sharpened the teams.

Botswana did not take part in the Africa Cup edition and Pitso was adamant that their appearance in Malawi would assist them to get back to their international rhythm.

He further said they would use the Africa Cup 2025 as part of their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers.

Women’s Team

SHOOTERS

Hilda Binang (Jwaneng Netball Club)

Boikanyo Selogetso (Jwaneng Netball Club)

Chenesani Mbangiwa (BDF Cats Netball Club)

Patience Kebatenne (BDF Cats Netball Club)

MIDCOURT

Maungo Simone (BDF Cats Netball Club)

Keletso Gontho (BDF Cats Netball Club)

Kolobetso Mbangiwa (BDF Cats Netball Club)

Kefilwe Ragono (BDF Cats Netball Club)

DEFENDERS

Letang Mogotlwane (BDF Cats Netball Club

Maipelo Mosotho (BDF Cats Netball Club)

Thatayaone Maswikiti, (Police Netball Club)

Ntebogang Motlakaloso (Jwaneng Netball Club)

RESERVES

Florence Poane (BDF Cats Netball Club)

Teedzani Keabile (Jwaneng Netball Club)

 Golebamang Letang (Police Netball Club)

Men’s Team

ATTACKERS

Boniface Moeng (BDF Cats Netball Club)

Oscar Mphaleng (Police Netball Club)

Karabo Kgomokhumo (Police Netball Club)

Tshegofatso Monyama (Police Netball Club)

MID COURT

Oaitse Tshiping (Prisons)

Thuto Bogatsu (Notwane)

Bonang Moswate (BDF Cats Netball Club)

Tshepang Monthe (Police Netball Club)

DEFENCE

Merapelo Rataola(Prisons)

Neelo Modumo (Police Netball Club)

John Lucas (BDF Cats Netball Club)

Henry Moalosi (Prisons)

RESERVES

Aabakwe Tlhage (Notwane)

Mompati Motlhanka (Police Netball Club)

Meanwhile, Merapelo Karabo and Obuile Ramosesane have been appointed to represent Botswana as umpires at the tournament.

It is that time of year when the country’s pulse shifts. As Batswana stream back to their home villages, lands and cattle posts, the festive season is not only announced by family gatherings but by the rhythmic thud of a football striking dusty earth. 

Across Botswana, well-wishers, entrepreneurs and returning villagers pool resources to stage a phenomenon that has become as familiar as the holiday rains-the Festive Tournament. 

From makeshift goalposts hewn from tree branches to pitch markings scratched into bare ground, these tournaments began as simple village pastimes. 

Today, they have evolved into high-stakes spectacles- a vibrant fusion of cultural homecoming, grassroots sport, informal commerce and, increasingly, a source of tension with elite professional football. In their early years, the competitions were modest: a team from one ward challenging another, or relatives from the cattle post gathering players who ‘can play a bit’. 

But in more established centres, ambition grew. Long-standing events like the Thamaga Christmas Tournament and the renowned Matlolapata Games in Mogoditshane became institutions, drawing teams from regional leagues and Constituency Tournaments. 

As the stakes rose, so did the incentives. Cash prizes grew. Livestock became trophies. Teams began recruiting ‘guest players’-semi-professionals and even top-tier stars returning home for the holidays. The northern villages followed suit. 

In places like Tutume and Masunga, dusty patches have been fitted with floodlights, illuminating matches played long after the heat of the day has passed.

Appearance fees are now standard and prize money is no longer small change. With this surge in investment came an inevitable consequence: the attention of Botswana’s elite players and referees, eager to maintain fitness and earn off-season income. 

But the allure of the festive pitch clashes sharply with professional obligations. For contracted players, turning out for non-league village teams carries the ever-present risk of injury-a risk that could derail an entire season. 

Clubs have responded with strict contractual clauses, effectively forbidding participation. Yet the economic pull is powerful. 

“We make a lot of money,” one Extension Gunners player admitted. “During Christmas I can play for a team in Mogotlhwane and on New Year’s I will go to Lekgolobotlo. They know we are professional players, so they pay us well.” 

It is a symbiotic relationship: communities gain celebrity firepower; players gain lucrative-though technically prohibited-income. But the stakes are high. 

A Gaborone United player revealed the new obstacle: surveillance by social media. “Yes, we sometimes sneak out,” he confessed. “But the problem is the phones. The moment someone posts a picture, management sees it. This year, I will be a spectator.” 

The real trouble begins when an injury occurs. Some clubs have even convened disciplinary hearings for players injured during these festive appearances. Yet despite the tension, the tournaments remain essential to village life. They provide entertainment for thousands who return home each December. They are also an economic lifeline: the edges of the pitch burst into vibrant marketplaces. Vendors selling ma-fresh, ice pops, braai meat and papa make brisk holiday profits-money often used to prepare children for the new school year. 

Culturally, the tournaments are a magnet. This is where the ‘Gaborones’- the diaspora of urban life-return to parade cooler boxes, scents and small empires of holiday swagger. 

But beyond showmanship, the festive pitch is a social crossroads, where old friends reconnect, feuds quietly dissolve, and new relationships begin under the heat and music of December. 

In truth, the Festive Tournament is a microcosm of the modern Motswana holiday-a place where rural and urban worlds meet; where football blends with commerce; where love, rivalry, ambition and nostalgia coexist. 

It may bring contractual headaches and management warnings, but its cultural gravity is undeniable. And so, each December, as the villages fill and the evenings lengthen, one sound remains constant: the echo of a ball across the festive pitch, carrying with it the spirit of homecoming.