A 25-athlete Team Botswana has settled in Glasgow with a clear target, seven medals across five sporting codes.
GAZETTE REPORTER
Team Botswana has settled in Glasgow, Scotland, and is ready to begin its bid for at least seven medals at the Commonwealth Games, scheduled from July 23 to August 2, 2026.
The squad comprises 25 athletes competing in athletics, boxing, judo, lawn bowls and swimming under Chef de Mission Tebogo Ntesang.
Athletes Tshepiso Masalela and Lee Eppie joined the team on Monday after competing in Diamond League events around the world.
The Botswana National Olympic Committee announced the seven-medal target during the team’s send-off ceremony in Gaborone last week.
FINAL PREPARATIONS
Ntesang said the team’s arrival, accreditation and integration into the Games environment had gone according to plan.
“The team is safe and sound, all is well and we did not encounter any challenges. we successfully completed accreditation and familiarized the athletes with training and competition venues. We are housed at University of Sterling which is a high performance centre and is equipped with all specifications of a sports hub. We have now entered the final phase of preparation, with training sessions intensifying as they await their respective events,” she said.
She said months of preparation had put the athletes in a strong position to face some of the Commonwealth’s best competitors.
“Our preparations have been thorough, and the athletes understand the responsibility that comes with representing Botswana on such a prestigious stage. They are motivated, confident and eager to showcase the hard work they have put in over the past months. We have no major injuries in the team and everyone is ready for the challenge,” she said.
“Our mission is straightforward. We have come here to compete for medals. We have set ourselves a target of seven medals, and everyone within the team is working towards that goal. We believe our athletes have the talent and the character to deliver strong performances,” Ntesang added.
RISING AMBITION
BNOC president Tshepo Sitale said the seven-medal target reflected Botswana’s rise as a sporting nation with high-performance structures capable of competing against the world’s best.
Sitale said Botswana had also come close to achieving a 50:50 gender balance in its Glasgow delegation.
“This is not an accident. It is the result of deliberate, strategic and painstaking work by CGA Botswana, our national federations and our high-performance structures,” he said.
He said the balanced representation sends a message that every young Motswana, regardless of gender, has an equal opportunity to succeed in sport.
MEDAL HOPES
Athletics provides Botswana’s largest medal hopes through Prince Selepe in the 100m and 200m, Justice Oratile in the 200m, Tshepiso Masalela in the one mile, Kemorena Tisang in the 400m hurdles, Lee Bhekempilo Eppie in the 400m and Ketlobogile Haingura in the 800m.
The women’s athletics team includes Oratile Nowe, Obakeng Kamberuka, Kennekae Batisani, Naledi Monthe, Boitshepo Kelapile and Tshegotatso Bojosi.