Govt gives Tebogo support
The Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare has confirmed that the government is providing assistance to the national athletic icon, Letsile Tebogo, who recently lost his mother.
He however, declined to disclose any details, noting that it is not for media consumption. Tebogo, who has made a name for himself, both at home and abroad, has faced personal tragedy amidst his impressive athletic achievements. He lost his mother on Sunday due to unconfirmed ill-health reasons. Seratiwa Tebogo was seen as supportive mother to the top athlete in his career of athletics.
Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana National Olympic Committee, Tebogo Kesupile, told the Botswana Guardian that they are collaborating with the Botswana Athletics Association to find ways to help Tebogo during these difficult times. "We have a full-time professional who offers emotional support to our athletes. We have concluded that she will help him psychologically. We have already informed the family that our psychologist is ready to assist Tebogo's family once they grant us that opportunity," Kesupile said.
Kesupile further mentioned that they have not been able to speak with Tebogo upon hearing the news but expressed their hope to do so once he returns home. He is expected to arrive soon. Tebogo is scheduled to compete in France for the 2024 Olympic Games, among other upcoming events. Tebogo's rise to fame has been remarkable. In August 2023, he became the first African man to claim a 100m podium finish at the World Athletics Championships, winning silver in Budapest. At just 20 years old, he has already set numerous records and made history for Botswana, becoming the first man from the country to win a medal of any color at the event.
Meanwhile, the minister has appealed to the public to grant Letsile Tebogo the privacy he needs to mourn the loss of his mother. The Botswana track star was in the United States of America, at the time of his mother's passing, where he achieved a season-best time of 10.13 seconds in the 100m at the USA Track & Field Los Angeles Grand Prix.