- World Athletics Championships are a level beneath what earns such a reward
Letsile Tebogo, the extraordinary sprinter who hails from Kanye, won a silver medal in the men’s 100m at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
His lightning-fast time of 9.88 seconds was overshadowed only by America’s Noah Lyles, who secured gold with a swifter 9.83 seconds. This achievement not only marked a historic moment for Letsile but also etched his name in the annals of athletics history by becoming the first African to win a men’s 100m medal at the World Athletics Championships since its inauguration in 1983.
The Olympics
However, despite Letsile’s unprecedented performance, no house will be forthcoming from the government as a token of appreciation because the World Athletics Championships are a level beneath what earns such a reward.
The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture and the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) adhere strictly to the policy, which was last updated in 2022. According to this policy, only athletes who secure a medal in a Level 1 competition, which is the Olympic Games, are eligible for the coveted reward.
Level 2
“The value and location of the house will be determined by the government on the basis of availability and cost,” the policy states. “Any podium finish at the Olympic Games will be rewarded with a two-bedroomed house.”
These regulations were reaffirmed by the CEO of BNSC, Tuelo Serufho, in an interview this week when he said the housing reward remains exclusive to achievements in the Olympics. Because Letsile’s current battleground at Budapest ’23 is categorised as a Level 2 competition – known as World Single Sport in terms of the policy – his exceptional efforts on the track there will not qualify him for the housing reward.
Men’s relay team
But this outstanding athlete will be granted other commendable rewards, including an appearance fee of P4000, a qualification fee of P20,000 and P100,000 for his silver medal triumph.
More financial rewards will be due to Letsile if he secures a podium finish in the 200m event that is scheduled for today (Friday). In contrast to his situation, members of the Botswana men’s 4x400m Olympic relay team were rewarded with a fully-furnished two-bedroom house each for their bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
