MYSC expecting BNSC to honour Crosbie’s Dakar heroics

LETLHOGILE MPUANG

The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture expects the Botswana National Sports Commission to honour Vincent Crosbie’s exploits at the 2017 Dakar Rally race. Crosbie became the first Motswana to participate and finish the race deemed as the world’s toughest off road race.
The Serowe born native finished 36th from over a 100 racers who made it to the finals. Nonetheless, the 27 year old told reporters at last week’s press conference that the local sports mother body, BNSC did not play any significant part in his campaign leading to the race.
“It is a very sensitive issue, I have been asked a lot of questions about it. Unfortunately they (BMS and BNSC) didn’t really assist much or should I say at all. We only had individuals, David Masonja was the only one at BMS who was by my side throughout this Dakar journey. Unfortunately we never got the help we thought we were ever going to get, but regardless, it is something we cannot hold onto forever,” said Crosbie at the media briefing.
In an interview with the Public Relations Officer at the the Ministry Sports Thobo Tlhasana, he said that the Ministry through the BNSC are expected to show some recognition for the racer’s heroics. “Vincent Crosbie has made history, he is now a legend. As the Ministry we do recognize what he has done, just like we have with every athlete who goes out and represented this country well. It is the BNSC who take care of athletes, they have to tell us what they intend to do for him to show this recognition,” said Tlhasana. He added that at the moment they were yet to hear from the BNSC.
“We need to know from them, how we can assist, we do know for sure that there is something in place that they intend to do, but at the moment we are yet to hear from them,” he added. “We believe that since the Minister (Thapelo Olopeng) is still away on leave, maybe it is the reason why they are yet to bring any proposal before us. But he will be returning next week (this week), and we will see what happens from there,” carried the PR. In the end Tlhasana confirmed that the Ministry is aware of the reports that the BNSC failed to assist the biker ahead of the event.
“Yes, we have heard that rumour, but like I say it is still a rumour to us. We first need to sit with the BNSC and draw the positives, negatives and also a way forward of how we can improve things going forward,” he ended.