Botswana, a nation with a growing appetite for hosting continental sporting events, recently faced disappointment when it lost the bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport, and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, subsequently expressed his concerns about the voting process for its alleged susceptibility to external influences.
“In our view, the voting that happened in Cairo was regressive,” he said at a recent media briefing to apprise Batswana of how their country lost the bid. “It is that kind of voting that we are aware is susceptible to external influences. “And while we do not want to suggest that is what happened, we would urge CAF to consider more progressive and transparent systems as they had initially proposed.”
Beyond football, Botswana has embraced the opportunity to host the 2023 Africa Netball Cup after Uganda withdrew at the eleventh hour. This shift in responsibility left Botswana and Kenya to step up to rescue the event, with Botswana ultimately being chosen as the host. The country is now gearing up to host the 2023 Africa Netball Cup, which is scheduled to take place from 28 November to 6 December 2023 in Gaborone.
Newfound appetite
Botswana’s newfound appetite for hosting high-profile sporting meets is also seen in the country currently exploring the possibility of hosting the prestigious Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) African Senior Athletics Championships in 2026. Furthermore, Business Weekly Sports is informed that the Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) has submitted a declaration of intent to host the 2024 Africa Karate Championships, pending a response from the Botswana National Sports Commission.
However, this surge in the country’s ambition to host continental competitions raises a fundamental question: should Botswana prioritise hosting such big events over fundamental issues like the restoration of school sports and reinforcing of sports development? The matter was put to a lecturer in sports science at the University of Botswana, Dr Tshephang Tshube, who provided valuable insights into the issues in an interview this week. “If you look at this, it will vary significantly across sporting codes,” he said.
National pride
“Readiness for athletics would not be the same as readiness for football. Clearly, CAF has given us the feedback that we are not ready to host AFCON. The required facilities were not met. As for other sporting codes, we have been able to host the African Junior Championships in athletics and the Netball World Youth Cup.”
Tshube underscored the importance of understanding why a country may wish to host such events and identified two primary reasons. “The first one is to stimulate the economy – injecting money into the economy to increase cash circulation and support infrastructural development,” he said. “The other reason is national pride.”
Asked whether Botswana should prioritise the return of school sports and development, Dr. Tshube emphasised the need to set clear priorities. “We need to focus on talent identification and development so that when we host, we can fill up stadiums because athletes or players entice spectators to come,” he noted. In his view, Botswana would be better advised to prioritise the return school sports so that when the country hosts, the talent to represent it well and make the nation proud has been identified.
Hosting events, he added, should be driven by a comprehensive understanding of the benefits. “We should speak from a position of knowledge and science and focus on what to benefit from when we host,” he said. While Botswana’s aspirations to host continental competitions demonstrate the country’s eagerness to showcase its abilities on the international stage, the insights of the eminent sports scientist underscore the importance of aligning these ambitions with long-term development goals.
Striking a balance
Focusing on the return of school sports and investing in talent identification and development can ensure that Botswana’s hosting endeavours translate into meaningful benefits for the nation. As the country navigates its future in the world of sports competitions, striking a balance between prestige and development will be crucial. It is not just about hosting events but nurturing and showcasing homegrown talent, promoting economic growth, and fostering a sense of national pride.
While Botswana’s sporting ambitions are admirable, they must be complemented by a well-defined vision that encompasses development and growth, benefiting the nation as a whole. By prioritising the return of school sports and strengthening talent development, Botswana can build a solid foundation for its sporting future, ensuring that when it hosts, it does so with excellence and purpose.
