Sport For Life launched
Local sport leaders have lauded the inaugural launch of the Sport for Life (S4L) Movement in Botswana, which was done in Gaborone on Monday at Lekidi Football Centre, the initiative is expected change the local sporting landscape for the greater good of the community. Sport For Life is a programme that aims to promote human development and empower the youth, especially those that come from disadvantaged communities.
In its quest to achieve this goal, Sport For Life will conduct an intense two weeks course, which started on Monday, for sports administrators and athletes at the National Stadium. The course is administered by the Sport for Life course facilitator, Leo Moreau. The Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) chairman, Marumo Morule who graced the event and delivered a key note address emphasized the need to promote human development and empower the youth, especially those that may be marginalized or come from communities which are disadvantaged. “The pandemic exposed just how dire circumstances are for many in our communities, and therefore there is a need to shine a beacon of light and impart hope in their lives.
As the old adage goes, give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime; this is what this programme aims to do, through having our youth trained and go on to replicate the programme within their individual communities and implement projects that will stimulate happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives, which is in direct alignment with the objective of promoting Olympism in the country,“ Morule shared.
“We hope that this initiative will leap forward in our continued efforts to improve the sporting fraternity and conditions in which we operate in Botswana. It has become increasingly apparent in recent years, as the country shifts towards a ‘knowledge-based economy’ that the sporting fraternity will need to carve out its niche in order to remain relevant, and not be left behind as the nation pivots away from our traditional mindset,“ Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) President, Tshenyego also stated during his welcome remarks.
The project is part of the BNOC’s strategic outlook as they look to establish strategic partnerships to achieve their goals through engaging with Movements such as S4L. “As a proud citizen of Botswana, I feel compelled to improving the lives of our youth; in particular those that are involved in sport in whichever capacity- be they, sportsmen and women, administrators, coaches, or simply volunteers. It therefore affords me great pleasure to know that our youth shall be exposed to the opportunities, insights, knowledge and empowerment through their participation with the S4L initiative over the next two weeks. This will stand them in good stead, as they return to their respective corners of the country and take up their individual projects,” Tshenyego highlighted.
The National Coordinator, Sport for Life Mr. Molefhi Kannemeyer Obenne provided the summary of the project and emphasized the need for optimism and positivity for one to achieve their goals. “As Sport for Life, we will train you to be an agent of change, in your own space, territory, or sphere. As Sport for Life, we will ensure that you appreciate and uplift the belief that as long as we breathe we shall never give up because we are Sport for life. We will be responsible for our financial sustainability. We will support the sustainability of the Sport for Life movement. We will think BIG as members of Sport for Life to be a success and have a positive attitude towards action and delivery.” Obenne shared.