Regional Youth Games launch Mascot
The Region 5 Youth Games Gaborone 2018 Local Organising Committee (RYGLOC) this week unveiled the games’ mascot, the bird character named Kgori. The 8th edition of the games is scheduled for the 7th until 16 December 2018.The colorful Kgori was unveiled together with the theme song, cauldron, medals and torch at the games marks and symbols launch in Gaborone.
Officiating at the event, the Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Phillip Makgalemele said the colourful bird resembles youth spirit, togetherness, team spirit, excellence and excitement that the games will cherish.Makgalemele noted that it was a high -flying bird that resembles the fact that the games will be showcasing all the athletes who have excelled in their respective sporting codes and now competing regionally.
He explained that the LOC decided to pick a unique mascot, an iconic Botswana bird associated with Bogosi. “I am delighted at the LOC who chose this bird, it has been declared a protected species as it is almost extinct,” Makgalemele said.The minister said the mascot was relevant in that, this was the time to come together as a region and teach young ones about the most important things in life.
He added that the theme song was very catchy with a youthful beat and will be played throughout the region so as to get excitement amongst the youth.He said the cauldron which symbolizes leiso, will be lit from the day the games begin until the very last day, “We are saying as a region, we should gather around leiso and share ideas and experiences on how we could improve on talent identification.
We need to have a model that talks to us, investing right in sport such that we value for the money as well as the athletes benefiting,” he said.The Chairman of the LOC, Labbeaus Peloewetse said they are all ready to host the games. He noted that venues have been confirmed and other structures that needed to be installed are nearing completion. Various fields of play equipment, he said have already been delivered.
“Volunteers have been recruited and they shall be trained over this coming weekend, therefore preparations for the games are going well and in accordance with our plan,” he assured. He revealed that close to 2 000 teenage athletes will be in action and the games will provide an opportunity for new names to come to the fore in this regional competition.