President Mokgweetsi Masisi used the eminent occasion of the State of the Nation Address this week to call the wing-footed athlete by his nickname of “Schoolboy” and proceeded to describe Letsile Tebogo as “Botswana’s sensation”
GAZETTE REPORTER
President Mokgweetsi Masisi singled out Botswana’s wing-footed sprinter, Letsile Tebogo, for special mention in his latest State of the Nation Address that he delivered in Parliament on Monday this week.
The President commended “Schoolboy,” as Tebogo is affectionately known, for his stellar achievements and contributions to Botswana’s growing prominence in the world of sports.
With an African record in the 200m and a historic silver and bronze medals from the 2023 World Athletics Championships, the lad from Kanye has firmly established himself as a force on the global stage of athletics.
Exceptional feats
President Masisi expressed his pride in the achievements of Botswana’s sporting teams generally, emphasising the nation’s notable presence on the global sporting platform.
He highlighted Tebogo’s exceptional feats, stating: “’Schoolboy’ is Botswana’s sensation and currently holds the 200m African record, and is the first African to win a silver medal in 100m at the World Championships, and a 200m bronze medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.”
The President emphasised the country’s commitment to grassroots sports development, mentioning establishment of sports academies and ongoing construction of 10 community stadia that are set to significantly contribute to nurturing budding talent at the local level.
An ode to Brand Ambassadors
He urged the nation to continue to celebrate Amantle Montsho, Isaac Makwala, Nigel Amos, Tumisang Orebonye and Ross Branch as brand ambassadors who have raised Botswana’s flag in the sporting world, thus sports more interesting and attractive, especially among young Batswana.
Meanwhile, it does not come of surprise for President Masisi to laud Tebogo because the athlete’s phenomenal success at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest captured global attention.
In a groundbreaking display of athleticism, he secured a historic silver medal in the 100m race, clocking an astonishing 9.88s to become the first African man to claim a medal in the men’s 100m at the senior World Championships.
Athletics history
The young athlete continued to make his mark on Botswana’s athletics history by adding a bronze medal to his name in the 200m event, achieving an impressive time of 19.81s.
Notably, Tebogo’s remarkable track prowess was underscored when he broke a 26-year-old African record in the 200m race during a Diamond League meet, setting a new benchmark at 19.50s at the age of 20.
Namibia’s Frankie Fredericks had set the record on 12 July 2002 in Rome when he won the 200m race in a time of 19.99s at the age of 34 years 283 days.
Tebogo’s relentless pursuit of excellence has garnered widespread acclaim, serving as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes not only in Botswana but across the African continent.