Sibanda shines at BNSC Awards
The young, sensational sprinter, Karabo Sibanda emerged P70 000 richer after scooping the prestigious Sportsperson of the Year and the Junior Male awards at the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) ceremony held on Saturday night at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC).
“I did not expect this award and I am overwhelmed to have managed to win an award of this magnitude against the best athletes of the country and the world at large,” said the jubilant Sibanda.
Sibanda managed to beat Khaya Groth of Karate and James Freeman of swimming to the junior male award. The Commonwealth junior championship gold medalist said he was not intimidated by any opponent that he is pitted against, “I understand that the Olympics might seem like a more advanced stage for me but I don’t doubt myself. My mindset always tells me I am the best and I give my best ability in every performance and so far that has worked wonders for me. I do not burden myself about Carron James, LeSean Merit or Isaac Makwala, I just focus on myself,”
The African junior championships gold medalist proclaims that he managed to qualify for the Olympics with a first degree torn hamstring injury, which he is still nursing it to date. The talented Sibanda went on to promise that the awards will only boost his confidence and will not divert him to something adverse, “I will remain the same Karabo Sibanda I was before winning both this awards,”
Sibanda’s coach, Mogomotsi Otsetswe, who on the day also celebrated the Coach of the year award, said he would maintain the youngster’s discipline and self-restraint. “I have been with him for a longer time and I have a good relationship with his parents, so he listens to me. I told him fame will come with drama alongside, I again told him winning should not dwell in his mind so much that he looks down upon other people because that will derail him,” He further gave assurance that Sibanda’s injury was not bad.
Other winners were Naomi Ruele who won the junior female sports person of the year, Lame Hetanang scooped the Sports Woman of the year award and Chairman’s award respectively. The sportsman of the year went to Zidane Chikanda of Boxing, Coach of the year went to Mogomotsi Otsetswe while Roslyn Tebele walked away with the Sports administrator and Mpho Bakwadi was the referee of the year.
Giving his remarks at the ceremony the Minister of Youth Sports and Culture, Honorable Thapelo Olopeng said winning medals at major events is always a product of hard work dedication and commitment by the athletes, technical teams, sport governing bodies, sponsors and Government. “There are other relevant stakeholders including most importantly the fans who throng the stadia to support wholeheartedly the engagement of their teams and athletes in competitive and friendly events,” he says.