The bronze winning 4x400m men’s relay team have got the rewards of their toil as Minister Tumiso Rakgare announced this evening. Rakgare, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development has was talking during the welcoming ceremony of the Botswana Olympics team.
Each athlete, for boxing and athletics will get Two thousand Pula (P2 000) appearance fee for each race or fight they participated in. For swimming and weightlifting, each athlete will get a One thousand, and five hundred Pula (P1 500) appearance fee.
As such the Minister announced that, in recognition of good performance, Nijel Amos will get a Five thousand Pula (P5 000) for being in the Top 8 of 800m final race.
Isaac Makwala is set to receive; Five thousand Pula (P5 000 00) for attaining Top 8 in 400m final race, Fifty thousand Pula (P50 000.00) for bronze and Two thousand Pula (P2 000.00) for being part of the team that set a new African Record.
The other members of the men’s 4x400m relay team; Baboloki Thebe, Leungo Scotch, Zibani Ngozi, Bayapo Ndori and Anthony Pasela are supposed to receive Fifty thousand Pula (P50 000.00) for bronze and Two thousand Pula (P 2 000.00 for being part of the team that set a new African Record.
However, instead of the Fifty thousand Pula (P50 000.00) reward, the Six (6) members of the 4x400m men’s relay team will each receive a two-bedroomed house courtesy of the government of Botswana.
“We have been in discussions with the leadership of the country about how we can reward the team appropriately. Our proposal was presented to both His Honour the Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane and H.E the President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi who both unwaveringly supported us. In this regard, I am happy to announce today the 11th August 2021 that Government will offer each of the 6 team men’s 4x400m Relay Team members a 2 bedroomed house as a reward.” Rakgare revealed.
In addition to the rewards from the government, Debswana rewarded each team member Seventy thousand (P70 000.00) for bronze medal, and Fifty thousand Pula (P50 000.00) each for breaking African record. Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) popped out Five hundred and four thousand Pula (P504 000.00). On the other hand Choppies pledged Two hundred and fifty thousand Pula (P250 000.00) for the team.
The Minister further thanked, and urged the private companies to extend a helping hand in supporting the athletes. He said this mentioning the upcoming 2024 Olympics to be held in Paris.
