Botswana National Olympic Committee

Game Changers Launch Brings Grassroots Sport Development to Maun! 🏅🇧🇼

This morning, Maun Senior Secondary School played host to the official launch of the Commonwealth Sport Game Changers Initiative, officiated by Commonwealth Sport Botswana Board Member, Mr. Boikobo Gaolebalwe.

Executed in strategic partnership with the Just Hope Foundation—a dedicated non-governmental organization specializing in counseling and life coaching—the program bridges physical training with vital mental health and life skills support.

Key Highlights of the Initiative:Beneficiary Schools: Learners from Maun Senior Secondary School, Sedie Junior Secondary School, and Letsholathebe Primary School will benefit directly from this structured sports pipeline. Focal Sports: Football, Basketball, and Boxing have been selected for implementation.

Expert Guidance: Qualified coaches have been appointed to teach technical skills, mentor young talent, and foster sportsmanship. We were honored by the presence of Paramount Chief Kgosi Tawana Moremi II, who delivered the cultural and closing remarks, emphasizing the power of community ownership in youth development.

Together, we are empowering the next generation of champions on and off the field! #

GameChangers

# # # 🇧🇼 *MATOLELA FLIES BOTSWANA'S FLAG HIGH AT ARISE WOMEN OF AFRICA 2026*

Botswana's *Kelebogile Matolela* has emerged *1st Place in the Women Excellence in Sport for Peace and Development Award* presented at the *5th Arise Women of Africa Symposium*, held on 21 August 2026 at the Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town, South Africa.

Matolela progressed through a continental nomination and adjudication process to become one of the *Top 10 Finalists*, before receiving strong support during the public voting stage and ultimately emerging as the overall winner.

She was recognised for *using sport, technology and environmental stewardship to drive social change*, including addressing gender-based violence through Olympic Values Education, championing sustainable sport and advancing women in technology.

The award highlights the growing contribution of Batswana women to the wider African sport ecosystem and demonstrates that sporting excellence extends beyond competition to include *leadership, research, sustainability, innovation, inclusion and sport for development and peace*.

Matolela's achievement raises Botswana's profile on the continental stage and provides inspiration for women and young people to use sport as a platform for creating meaningful and sustainable social change.

*Congratulations Kelebogile Matolela! 🇧🇼🏆*

*Together We Rise.*

🇧🇼 A NEW DAWN FOR GRASSROOTS SPORT IN MOSHUPA! 🏟️✨

Today, 20th August 2026, marks a major milestone for sports development in Botswana! The Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) was honored to join community leaders, sports federations, and the people of Moshupa for the Official Opening of the Moshupa Community Stadium.

The delegation representing the BNOC was led by Acting BNOC President Mr. Michael Moroka and BNOC CEO Mrs. Dorothy Tlagae-Gaseitsiwe.

Highlights from the Official Opening:
📜 Keynote Address: The Guest of Honour, Honourable Minister of Sport and Arts, Mr. Jacob Kelebeng, delivered the keynote speech, highlighting the transformative power of sport infrastructure in local communities.

🤝 Joint Acceptance: National sports federations—including the BFA, BONA, BBA, and BAA—officially accepted the facility to kickstart grass-roots talent development.

🏛️ Community Engagement: The BNOC hosted an interactive stall on-site, showcasing our core services, Olympic values education, and athlete support programs directly to the Moshupa community!

👏 Civic Leadership: Welcome remarks were delivered by Kgosi Oscar Mosielele, with a Vote of Thanks presented by Moshupa Constituency MP, Hon. Karabo Gare.

From high-energy karate demonstrations to local cultural music, the stadium came alive as a hub of opportunity for our future stars. Facilities like these pave the way for the next generation of champions! 🇧🇼🏃‍♂️⚽

🇧🇼 DIFFERENT BUT EQUAL: BUILDING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES THROUGH SPORT IN MOROKA! 💙🖤🤍

Today was a truly heartwarming day of unity, movement, and empowerment! The Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) joined forces with Moroka Primary School to evaluate the inspiring progress of the “Different but Equal” project, driven by the passionate Golden Hearts group.

This powerful initiative uses physical activity and inclusive games to bring mainstream learners and learners living with disabilities together—creating a space where every single child feels valued, included, and celebrated.

🌐 Driven by International Excellence: The TAFISA CLC Connection
This initiative is proudly anchored under TAFISA (The Association For International Sport for All) and its Certified Leadership Course (CLC) framework:

🎓 Grassroots Leadership: The TAFISA CLC program equips sport leaders, educators, and community champions with practical tools to design, deliver, and sustain high-impact "Sport for All" programs tailored to local community needs.

🌍 Global Best Practices, Local Impact: By aligning with TAFISA’s international mission to enable active communities worldwide, the "Different but Equal" project transforms strategic leadership training into tangible, everyday inclusion on the ground at Moroka Primary.

🔄 Sustainable Capacity Building: The CLC focus ensures that local organizers, teachers, and volunteers aren't just running one-off events, but are building long-term, self-sustaining structures for inclusive physical education.

Why "Different but Equal" Matters:
🤝 Inclusion & Friendship: Breaking societal barriers by allowing learners of all ability levels to play, learn, interact, and have fun side-by-side.

🕊️ Living the Olympic Values: Teaching youth core principles of Respect, Excellence, and Fair Play through practical engagement on and off the field.

🏋️‍♀️ Healthy Living & Well-being: Promoting active lifestyles early in life to fight non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and foster lifelong health habits.

📚 Empowering Educators & Parents: Encouraging teachers to leverage physical activity for improved classroom focus and discipline, while inspiring parents to champion their children's holistic growth through sport.

By transforming open school spaces into hubs of equal opportunity, we aren't just developing young talent—we are building healthier, more inclusive, and deeply respectful communities across Botswana.

A heartfelt thank you to the teachers, parents, and bright young minds of Moroka Primary School for showing us that through sport, every child belongs! 🌟

Athlete365

POWERED BY THE BEST: GLASGOW 2026 APPRECIATION! 🇧🇼

When steps out onto the world stage, we bring speed, grace, and relentless spirit—and at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, we did it in world-class style!

A massive thank you to Nike , for outfitting our athletes, coaches, and management team throughout the Games. Wearing the Swoosh alongside the blue, black, and white represented more than just sportswear—it represented global excellence. Re a legoba Nike, for backing the Team in Glasgow! 🖤🩵🤍

🇧🇼 POWERING NATIONAL PRIDE: THANK YOU TO THE MINISTRY OF SPORT AND ARTS! 🇧🇼

Behind every athlete standing on the podium, and behind every delegation representing our nation abroad, stands the unwavering support of the Government of Botswana!

The Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) takes this opportunity to extend our sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Sport And Arts Botswana . Their continuous investment in high-performance sports, community initiatives, and international game preparations makes it possible for to raise the blue, black, and white flag high on the world stage.

Thank you to the Ministry for being the cornerstone of our sporting journey and for believing in the talent and potential of Batswana athletes! 💙🖤🤍.

IN PHOTOS: Team Botswana Glasgow 2026 Welcome Home Ceremony 📸🇧🇼

Highlights from this morning’s official welcome ceremony at the Oasis Hotel in Tlokweng!

From the arrival of our athletes to the keynote address by Guest of Honour, Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Dithapelo Keorapetse, and the official return of the National Flag by Chef de Mission Ms. Tebogo Ntesang—it was a morning filled with pride, celebration, and togetherness.

A big thank you to the BNOC, BNSC, our guest speakers, media partners, and all supporters who came out to honor our national ambassadors!

NEWS: Team Botswana Warmly Welcomed Home Following Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Campaign 🇧🇼🏅

The Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) hosted an official Welcome Ceremony today to honor Team Botswana whom just returned from representing the country at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The high-profile event was graced by The Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Dithapelo Keorapetse, who delivered the keynote address as Guest of Honour. Highlighting the morning was the return of the National Flag by Chef de Mission Ms. Tebogo Ntesang to Speaker Keorapetse, marking the official end of Team Botswana's campaign in Scotland.

"Our athletes fought valiantly on the world stage, demonstrating resilience and building crucial elite-level exposure for our nation’s emerging sports stars," noted BNOC leadership during the proceedings.

Key Dignitaries & Highlights in Attendance:

Guest of Honour & Keynote Address: Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Dithapelo Keorapetse

Host Nation Representative: British High Commissioner to Botswana, H.E. Giles Enticknap MBE BNOC Leadership:

BNOC President, Mr. Tshepo Sitale

Vote of Thanks: CEO of the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC), Mr. Olebile Sikwane

Director of Ceremonies: Ms. Patrinah Kazondunge

The ceremony brought together key stakeholders from national sport federations, media, and government officials to celebrate the national pride, discipline, and competitive spirit shown by our athletes in Glasgow.

Read more sports updates at our official channels. 🗞️🇧🇼

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games - TEAM BOTSWANA, IS HOME🇧🇼🇧🇼