Category: Sunday Standard

As Botswana struggles through one of the most difficult economic periods in its post-independence history, a far deeper and less visible crisis may be unfolding.

While headlines focus on inflation, unemployment, budget deficits and health care crises, another story is most likely being written in the wombs of expectant mothers and the homes of young families. The long-term cost of this economic downturn may not be felt fully for decades, but when it does, it may come in the form of accelerated aging, poorer health and diminished productivity in an entire generation of Batswana.

A growing body of international research offers a sobering perspective, suggesting that the hard times a number of families are currently going through may actually be a signal that, the country faces a deeper longer-lasting risk: the silent scarring of an entire generation.

A study titled, ‘The Early Shocks on Aging Outcomes: Evidence from the US Great Depression’, reveals that children born during or shortly after the Depression suffered long term consequences, not just in economic terms, but in health, lifespan and productivity. They were more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses, earned less over their lifetimes, and aged faster than those born during more stable times. The economic shocks their parents endured, loss of income, poor nutrition, reduced access to healthcare, left lasting physiological and cognitive imprints.

But even more striking is a companion paper: ‘In Utero Exposure to the Great Depression is Reflected in Late-Life Epidemic Aging Signatures.’ This study found that individuals exposed to the stress and deprivation of the Great Depression while still in the womb experienced signs of accelerated aging – especially after age 75. In simple terms, the economic hardship of their early life didn’t just affect how they lived, it shaped how long and how well they lived.

These findings carry powerful relevance for Botswana today. Between 2023 and 2024, graduate unemployment jumped by 18.5% with over 70, 000 graduates unable to find work. Household consumption is shrinking, inflation is eating away at the value of the Pula, hospitals are running out of drugs and medication and infrastructure spending is drying up. In sectors which are dependent of government expenditure, job losses are mounting. Public services are stretched thin. For many families, even basic nutrition and healthcare are becoming luxuries.

This is the environment into which thousands of children are now being born. If history is any guide, the consequences will be long term and multi-generational. Poor maternal nutrition, toxic stress during pregnancy, and childhood deprivation are not just social tragedies, they are biological events. They shape how genes express, how organs function, and how people age. A child born today in Botswana may live with the echo of today’s economic crisis well into their 70s and 80s.

That is why this moment demands urgent, human centered policy responses. It is not enough to focus on fiscal consolidation or macroeconomic targets. Botswana must act to protect its most vulnerable citizens, not just in words, but in direct investments in maternal health, early childhood nutrition, education and income support for young families. These are not welfare expenses; they are national resilience strategies.

The experience of the United Stated during the Great Depression of the 1930s offer a cautionary tale. Just as the US Depression babies paid the price for their government’s slow response, Botswana cannot afford to let today’s children bear the cost of policy inaction. The long-term health of the nation, both physically and economically may depend on what we do right now.

The Ministry of Finance on Friday said it was seeking parliamentary approval for P8.83 billion under the Twelfth National Development Plan (NDP 12), laying out a digital-first reform package that aims to tighten fiscal controls, modernise tax collection, and crowd in private sector growth.

Presenting the Public Investment Programme (PIP), Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolathe said the funds-covering both ongoing and new projects-will ‘build the foundations of a new economy.’ Of the total, P2.07 billion will complete existing projects, while P6.76 billion is earmarked for new ones aligned with the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP).

The Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) takes the biggest slice at P4.13 billion, with key projects including the rollout of electronic VAT invoicing, digital taxation for online services, and upgraded border infrastructure. Gaolathe said the reforms would expand Botswana’s tax base and improve compliance, helping fund social and infrastructure programmes sustainably.

Technology and digital systems dominate the ministry’s agenda, with P486 million allocated to ICT development projects such as a national payment switch, an upgraded accounting and budgeting system, and a regulatory sandbox for fintech innovation. The government also plans to introduce an e-procurement platform to curb corruption and inefficiencies.

State-owned enterprises will receive P2.3 billion for restructuring, including transforming the National Development Bank into an agricultural lender, while P1.29 billion is set aside for infrastructure development, including new offices for key financial institutions.

‘This plan is about dignity, opportunity, and hope,’ Gaolathe told Parliament. ‘It’s about building an economy that creates jobs, rewards innovation, and ensures every Pula collected works for the people of Botswana.’

Organisers of the Gaborone 26 World Athletics Relays are hopeful that the event will have a positive impact on the economy and leave a lasting sports legacy.

The relays will be hosted in Gaborone on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2026. Gaborone 26 World Athletics Relays Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Moses Bantsi says the event has a huge potential to contribute positively to the economy as well as the development of sports.

‘When we took the decision to bid for these relays, we had three reasons in mind. the first reason is that we believe sports can contribute a lot towards Botswana’s economic diversification drive. As you know, our economy has been over reliant on minerals, more especially diamonds.’

‘But as we have witnessed, such over reliance of minerals is not sustainable. That is why the government is now seeking to diversify the economy. And sports tourism is an area which has a huge potential to help the country to reach that dream,’ Bantsi says.

With the world media expected to focus on Botswana leading to the relays and thousands of people expected to descend into Botswana to witness the athletics relays spectacles, the Gaborone 26 World Athletics Relays CEO says Botswana will have a platform to sell herself as a destination of choice.

From its sprawling deserts, breathtaking wildlife and its diverse cultures, Bantsi says Botswana has so much to offer. ‘We should not focus on the two days of the event only. We must start selling our country now and then continue well after the 2nd and 3rd of May. Our wish is that after the relays, Botswana will be well known and become a destination of choice for many people.’

With multitudes of people coming into our shores, Bantsi is urging Batswana to explore whatever opportunities may be available to earn some income. Opportunities are expected to open in areas such as accommodation, food, curios and transport, among many.

‘The second reason we bid for this event is to give Batswana a cheer. As you know, next year the country will be celebrating its 60 years of Independence. Our hope is that this event will make next year a very memorable one for the country.’

‘The third reason for us to host is to contribute to sports development in the country. This is a sporting event, and we want it to have a lasting legacy on our sport. Already, our stadiums, the National Stadium and UB Stadium are undergoing renovation. Sports will benefit from that post the event.’

‘But we want the legacy to go way beyond just stadiums. Remember that these relays are brought here by Botswana Athletics Association. Naturally, they have to benefit something from it. When we as the organisers go around looking for sponsors, we also think of the BAA. We want them to get funds to prepare their teams for the relays.’

As hosts, Botswana will be expected to field at least five teams, being the men and women’s 4X400m and 4x100m as well as the mixed relays. While the men’s 4x400m relay team is ready, the same cannot be said of others, more especially the women’s and mixed relay teams.

‘Our teams, more especially our women’s teams have not been doing well. Now, they need to be prepared well not just to participate but to compete. So, naturally, they have to benefit more from this event. We have to make sure they are ready.’

‘If we achieve this, it will transcend beyond just these games. We still have major games coming after the World Relays going into 2027 and 2028. We have the Africa Senior Championships, the World Athletics Championships as we as the LA 28 Olympics, among many. It will be part of our legacy to create a formidable women’s team which can go on to represent the country well past the relays.’

Still on the sporting front, Bantsi says his wish is for the country to have a legacy fund post the event. He says if such could be realized, it would be used to fund sport development programmes. He says Botswana has to have a good conveyor of athletes who can take over once likes of Letsile Tebogo hang up their spikes.

Meanwhile, the Gaborone 26 World Athletics Relays CEO says preparations for the event are on track. he says the only challenge currently facing the organisers is that they are yet to get sponsors on board. With the government struggling, he says it is imperative for the private sector to also lend a hand.

‘Sponsors aside, everything is going well. The first phase of preparations, which encompassed laying out our operational plans was completed mid-month. We are now on the second phase, which is the readiness stage where we roll out and execute our plans. Very soon, people should expect to see adverts of the event across the city. We are also now sending invitations and all relevant information to all countries regarding what they would need to enter the country.’

Regarding the stadiums, Bantsi says they expect the National Stadium to be handed over to the World Relays organisers by mid November. He says this will allow them to work over some of the compliance issues before the event starts. On the other hand, UB Stadium, which will be used as the warm-up track is expected to be handed over to the organisers by mid-January 2026.

The upcoming Women’s National League is expected to boost competition and encourage more girls across the country to actively take part in football. This was said by Botswana Football Association (BFA) Women’s Football Committee Chairperson, Keeng Mosinyi, in an interview with Sunday Standard Sport.

Mosinyi says the introduction of the national league marks a major step in the growth of women’s football in the country. This will be an improvement from the previous setup in which teams played in regional leagues without much incentive.

‘In the previous setup, teams were just playing to honour matches because there were no promotions or relegation,’ she says. ‘Now, with the introduction of a national league, teams know what is at stake. This will motivate both players and clubs to take the league seriously.’

Under the new format, the top teams from the North and South zones will face each other at the end of the season to decide which team represents Botswana in the CAF Women’s Champions League. This is expected to improve the standard of local football and give players exposure to higher levels of competition.

One of the biggest changes, according to the BFA Women’s Football Committee Chairperson, is that teams will now travel to play against opponents from other regions, unlike before when matches were played only within the same area.

‘Teams will now travel across regions, meeting different opponents and styles of play. This will increase competition and help raise the level of the game,’ she says. ‘It will also push regions to work harder to develop women’s football.’

Mosinyi is hopeful that the new league format will also create opportunities for players in other regions to be noticed and to be considered for the national team. ‘The national league will expose more players to competitive football and help identify new talent. It will give the Mares a wider pool of players to choose from and may even open doors for some players to move to professional leagues in the region.’

She says FIFA has approved funding to support women’s football development, and part of it will be used to help clubs manage their operations. The national league teams will receive equipment such as playing kits, balls, cones, nets and other training materials.

‘The FIFA funds will also be used to pay match officials. This is important because it helps professionalise the league and ensures that matches are managed well.’

Meanwhile, the BFA women’s football committee chairperson has implored the private sector and football fans to support women clubs. She says many teams are still struggling financially.

‘Teams are financially struggling, and there is a need for the private sector to come on board to sponsor the teams or the league. We also encourage supporters to attend matches in large numbers. Their support means a lot to the players.’

Mosinyi says the women’s National League is a big opportunity to transform women’s football in Botswana. She says it will not only improve competition but also give hope to many young girls who want to pursue football as a career.

‘With this league, we are building a strong foundation for the future of women’s football. It is a chance for our players to grow, compete and make their mark at national and international level.’

The women national league is expected to kick off in December.

Botswana Football Association (BFA) President Tariq Babitseng has described the much-anticipated visit to Botswana by FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a historic and transformative moment for football in the country.

He says the visit marks a new chapter of growth, confidence, and international recognition for the country’s football ambitions. The visit also signifies FIFA’s growing confidence in Botswana’s football structures and the direction of its leadership.

The BFA president further says this milestone demonstrates that Botswana is earning its place among progressive football nations. ‘This visit is not just ceremonial – it’s a strong signal that FIFA recognizes Botswana as an emerging force in African football. Infantino is coming to our doorstep for the first time, to see firsthand, our progress and potential.’

According to Babitseng, the FIFA president’s visit is expected to accelerate key development programs currently underway through the FIFA Forward initiative. The BFA is implementing infrastructure and capacity-building projects across the country, including the refurbishment of regional training centres and grassroots academies.

Infantino’s presence is also expected to boost investor confidence in local football, inspire local stakeholders, and fast-track project approvals and funding for major developments such as the National Technical Centre.

He added that discussions with FIFA will also focus on enhancing women’s football, improving referee development, and modernizing football administration systems to meet global standards.

According to Babitseng, the visit will further strengthen the strategic partnership between FIFA, the BFA, and the Government of Botswana. ‘Football does not develop in isolation. We need strong collaboration between the Association, government ministries, and FIFA. This visit gives us an opportunity to align our visions – from sports infrastructure to youth empowerment – ensuring football contributes to national development goals,’ he noted.

The BFA president says key meetings have been planned between FIFA officials and senior government leaders to explore avenues for joint investment in football infrastructure and youth programs.

Asked about the tangible benefits the visit might bring, Babitseng says local football could expect increased funding for grassroots development, improved access to coaching education, and possible investment in stadium infrastructure. He also hinted that Botswana could soon host more regional and continental tournaments – an opportunity that would uplift local economies and inspire a new generation of players.

Furthermore, the BFA president believes that Infantino’s visit could also open the door for partnerships in sports science, talent identification, and digital transformation of football management systems in the country.

He adds that the visit positions Botswana as a serious player within the continental and global football landscape. ‘We are proud that Botswana is being recognized internationally. This visit puts us on the global football map and reinforces our commitment to transparency, professionalism, and progress. It sends a clear message – Botswana is ready to take its rightful place among Africa’s leading football nations,’ he said.

As anticipation builds around Infantino’s visit, Babitseng’s message is clear: this moment is not just about celebration, but about setting a lasting foundation for the future of Botswana football.

On Wednesday, the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) announced Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) as the Best African Federation for the year 2025.

In what should have rightfully been Botswana’s crowning moment, CAA also announced rising star Collen Kebinatshipi as the best male athlete of the year, while Chilume Chippa Ntshwarang was crowned Coach of the Year.

The recognition comes in the wake of Botswana’s showing at the Tokyo 25 World Athletics Championships, where the country finished joint 5th from the 198 countries which were participating. Botswana also finished second among African countries at the championships, just behind Kenya, who finished first among African counties and second overall.

Earlier in the year, in May, Botswana finished in seventh (7th) position at the Guangzhou 25 World Athletics Championships. This also placed the country second in Africa behind South Africa, who finished in first position both in the world and in the continent.

The recognition from CAA has been described as welcome news by the association. ‘We welcome the announcement. It shows growth in our athletes, our coaches as well as the association,’ BAA acting president Oabona Theetso says.

He says considering the number of athletes, coaches and associations who are doing well in the continent, the recognition shows something is being done right. Theetso says being mentioned alongside countries like South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania, who have as many star athletes and coaches, is something to be proud of.

‘I believe BAA has over the years demonstrated that we have what it takes to compete against the best in the world. We have continuously done well as a country over many years now, winning medals at Olympic and world championships level.’

On the way forward for the BAA, Theetso says the association cannot and should not drop the ball. Rather, he believes the recognition should serve as motivation for the association and local athletes to achieve even more success in the coming years.

Of concern however is the fact that the CAA recognition comes in the backdrop of the announcement that that the country has recorded two more fresh doping violations.

Addressing the issue of increasing doping violations, Theetso cautioned that this may ‘dirty the waters’ for local athletes, many of who compete clean. ‘It is painful that our country’s name will be sullied by a few athletes who I would like to describe as self-centred.’

‘These actions may end up costing athletes who are competing clean and bringing glory for this country. Imagine if tomorrow we are told that Letsile Tebogo, Kebinatshipi or the 4x400m relay cannot compete because of the actions of athletes who want to cheat. That will be sad.’

‘What we see now are athletes seeking to be on the national team or winning by hook or crook. That is unacceptable. Athletes should know better. The only positive thing from all this is that none of the athletes who tested positive in the past three years have won medals in the said period.’

Despite this, the BAA acting president says investigations on the spiralling doping cases are ongoing. ‘We are investigating all the athletes implicated, as well as those close to them. We want to find all the people involved, it be athletes, coaches or even members of their teams. We also want to know the suppliers of these banned substances. Once investigations are complete, we will crack the whip on all those involved.’

Meanwhile, Theetso has commended the country’s National Anti-Doping Coordinating Office (NADCO) for the good work it is doing. He says ‘it is a good thing’ that most of the athletes who have used banned substances were caught by NADCO.

‘This shows that our NADCO is working. It is embarrassing for our country when athletes are caught doping. And it would be even more embarrassing if they were caught outside the country on international competitions.’

‘If NADCO was not working, may be some of these athletes would have embarrassed us outside the country. Nowadays, testing has been intensified in international competitions and no athletes can escape the scrutiny. So, it is a good thing that our athletes are tested here before they go out there,’ he says.

Eyebrows were raised when the Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) included its under 13 national team starlets among competitors in the ongoing National Super League. Many feared for the youngsters. They were to play against the country’s senior elites. They seemed like lambs to the slaughter, some cannon fodder in the elites’ battle for the league title.

While the youngsters’ addition to the league roaster would have been met with pessimism from some quarters, the BTTA was adamant it was a good thing. They reckoned the blending of upcoming talent and experienced players would set a stage for an exhilarating league.

BTTA president Kudzanani Motswagole insisted that the young upshots would add something different to the league. Their presence, he argued, would reignite elite competition and keep the seniors on their toes.

‘People must expect a lot of upsets during the league. These young players, though still at primary or early junior secondary school are there to compete. They were playing in this league last year, so they are not that far off against their more experienced seniors.’

‘Having played last year, they will come back more mature and better prepared. While their opponents are experienced, we do not think that will translate into superiority,’ Motswagole said at the time.

Fast forward a few games into the National Super League, the BTTA president’s predictions have come to pass. The youngsters are not just holding their own against their seniors, they are giving them a good run for their monies.

In the ladies’ categories, the young Carol David caused the biggest of upsets when she beat the country’s number one ranked female player Tshepiso Rebatenne. David’s win brought to an end Rebatenne’s then four matches winning streak.

At the other end, another emerging female starlet Boitlamo Nkele has also claimed the scalp of Game Kebodiwang. As at October 10th, this past Friday, Nkele was sitting comfortably in position 7 in the league standings, having played five games. David on the other hand was sitting in position 10 of 12, having played four games.

While the men’s section has not produced any notable upsets, the youngsters have also given their seniors a good run. Currently, Reneilwe Lekorwe is on position eight (8), having played five (5) games. The competitiveness of the youngsters has greatly pleased the BTTA.

‘We have no regrets about the decision to field these youngsters in the league. We are happy. The decision has worked very well for us. We have seen David upset Rebatenne and also Nkele do the same to the ladies’ fourth ranked player Salome Matlhatsi. This for us is a cause to celebrate,’ an elated Motswagole says.

The BTTA president says so far, the girls in the ladies’ section have closed the gap on their seniors, something which bodes well. As for the boys, he believes there is a cause for greater optimism as well.

‘The boys are yet to close the gap against their seniors as is the case with the girls. But that was to be expected. The men’s game is much faster. But the boys are also holding their own against the seniors. By this time next year, we will be talking a different story.’

Aside from giving their elders a run for their monies in the local leagues, the results are also showing when the young locals face their counterparts outside Botswana’s borders.

‘This past week, these youngsters were in Durban where they were competing in the South Africa junior and Senior regional Championships. And they did very well. Lekorwe got silver in the boys U13 category, while David got bronze in the girls U13 category. This shows that these youngsters can now compete very well against their age mates outside the country,’ the BTTA president points out.

As for the next steps, Motswagole says the association wants the girls to win titles locally as they have already closed the gap against their seniors. They are also eyeing more wins in the international arena. For the boys, the BTTA’s wish is for them to close the gap with their seniors next year and then compete for international titles.

With Botswana slated to host the Commonwealth Youth U-15 and the Region 5 Youth U-13 table tennis championships in December this year, the National Super League is serving as a much-needed preparatory platform for the junior national teams.

‘We want to win medals in international competitions. To achieve that, we had to do things differently. We understand that we cannot achieve these if we continue to do things as we did previously.’

‘We did this because we want our athletes to do well, not just now but in the future as well,’ the BTTA president says.

Botswana Netball Association (BONA) president Mpopi Moatlhodi has called on affiliates to put the interests of the sport ahead of personal agendas. She encouraged teams to work together and remain committed to developing netball in the country.

Moatlhodi’s appeal comes in the aftermath of the association’s failed Extra Ordinary Meeting. The meeting, which was due to be held last weekend in Palapye, failed to take place as affiliates did not form a quorum. Only six of BONA’s 18 affiliates attended, while one arrived an hour late, making it impossible to proceed with the meeting.

‘It is disappointing that such an important meeting could not take place,’ Moatlhodi said. ‘Teams, no matter how strongly they want change, must follow laid-down procedures. We can only progress if we respect the rules and structures that guide us.’

The Palapye meeting was meant to discuss financial reports and adopt a new constitution – two key issues that have been pending for some time. According to the BONA constitution, another meeting will have to be convened within 30 days, and it is expected to take place in Francistown.

Moatlhodi also expressed concern over the growing tendency by some teams to bypass proper communication channels. She said that some clubs in the Southern Zone had proposed meeting directly with the BONA executive committee, which she said goes against the association’s structure.

‘Teams can meet their zonal executive committees or raise issues at general meetings,’ she explained. ‘It is not proper for them to call for meetings directly with the BONA executive outside the agreed framework.’ The BONA president acknowledged that teams were facing serious financial challenges, especially since there is no sponsor for the national league. The lack of sponsorship has made it difficult to sustain competitions and offer meaningful rewards to clubs.

‘There are teams asking us to share prize money, but we cannot do that because there is no money available,’ Moatlhodi said. ‘We cannot prepare a budget based on funds that do not exist. We are still working hard to attract sponsors who can help us bring stability to the league.’

She added that despite these challenges, the BONA executive remains committed to growing the sport, improving governance, and ensuring fair play.

‘Our objectives can only be achieved through mutual understanding and collective responsibility,’ Moatlhodi said. ‘We must all pull in the same direction if we want to see Botswana netball progress.’

Moatlhodi further explained that her committee is open to constructive suggestions and will continue to serve the sport with humility to achieve the best results. She warned that divisions within the association are counterproductive and will not bring positive outcomes for the sport now or in the future.

The failure to hold the Palapye meeting has once again highlighted the administrative and structural challenges facing the sport. Without unity and consistent participation from affiliates, the association’s plans for development and reform risk being delayed.

As the next meeting in Francistown approaches, all eyes will be on the affiliates to see whether they respond to the president’s call for cooperation and take part in shaping the future of Botswana netball.

It has been a tough outing for Botswana’s Dakar Rally world rally raid championship (W2RC) defending champion, Ross Branch.

The Kalahari Ferrari, as the affable rider is affectionately called, crashed out during stage three of the fourth round. The crash, which left his motorcycle mangled, all but ended his title defense.

This marked an anticlimax for the Dakar Rally W2RC champion, who admitted his title defence had not gone according to plan. A series of setbacks hamper put paid his ambition to defend the title he won in 2024.

‘Unfortunately, I crashed out of the Rally. The year was not as good as I expected. We had issues the entire season and a bit of bad luck,’ Branch said. ‘But one has to move on and prepare for the coming races.’

While he is no longer in the title race, Branch is not ready to fold his arms and declare the season over. He is still determined he will go back and take part in stage five of the world championship in Portugal. His plan is to use the stage as a crucial testing ground for the 2026 Dakar Rally. His focus has shifted from defending his current title to preparing for a strong comeback.

‘We’ve had mechanical failures, even hit a bird in round three, and in round four things were going well – I was in the top five, exactly where we wanted to be. Unfortunately, I had a big crash, and that was the end of the race for me,’ he explained.

With no chance of clinching the world title this season, Branch sees the upcoming race in Morocco, the final round of the 2025 championship, as an opportunity to test new setups, sharpen his navigation, and rebuild his confidence.

‘Going into the last round, there’s no way of winning the championship, but we have a couple of things we’d like to test for Dakar in January,’ Branch said. ‘I’m feeling good, ready to battle the best in the world, get my confidence back, and hopefully gain more experience with navigation. That way, I’ll be fully prepared for Dakar.’

Despite the setbacks, the ‘Kalahari Ferrari’ remains optimistic. His focus is firmly on January, where he hopes to reclaim his crown and remind the world why he is one of the most fearless riders on the global rally scene.

In April 2024, court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed International Boxing Federation (IBA)’s appeal seeking to overturn a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to strip it of its recognition.

The ruling marked the end of the road for IOC and IBA. That very same month, the newly formed World Boxing (WB) was publicly announced. This new entity was to take over from IBA as the custodian of Olympic style boxing.

This new shift left many African in a tricky situation. At the time, it seemed they had to make a decision whether to stay with IBA or jump ship to the newly formed WB. This left many national boxing federations, more especially those in Africa, caught between a rock and a hard place.

Not joining WB would mean exclusion from participating in the future Olympic games, the games which, for many amateur boxers, are the pinnacle of achievement. For some like Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA), this would mean loss of sports grants from the government and support from organisations such as IOC.

Ditching IBA, on the other hand, would mean they lose whatever benefits they get. These would include missing out on IBA organised competitions, which still dominate the continent. It would also mean missing out on IBA projects meant to develop the sport of boxing.

Only Nigeria, among the African countries, was brave enough to jump ship and join WB. Botswana, on the other hand, decided to bide its time. They adopted a wait and see strategy, choosing to ‘monitor the events as they unfold.’

Speaking to this publication at the time, the then BoBA Secretary General Taolo Tlouestile had this to say: ‘We still do not know what the new body is coming with and even though IBA has been stripped of recognition it still has control over boxing training courses and many related boxing activities. What if we rush to the new body and find out that those things are limited and not being offered as IBA did.’

Fast forward a year later, sixteen African countries have now joined WB. The latest to join, albeit pending ratification, were the Libyan Boxing Federation (Libya) and the Boxing Federation of Kenya. As per the WB constitution, the two will have to wait until the WB congress in November 2025 to be granted full membership, as only the congress can approve it.

Now, Botswana is about to enter the ring as well. According to BoBA Publicity Secretary Kabelo Seleka, the association ‘is on the verge of joining World Boxing Organisation.’

He says ‘BoBA’s initial application for World Boxing membership was made by its immediate past Executive Committee.’ The membership application, which included submission of required documents has been accepted.

‘BoBA has met set requirements but with pending additional information submission. Most the requirements are centred around governance, membership, reporting, impact, compliance background,’ Seleka explains.

Of note, BoBA will join World Boxing without sacrificing its membership to IBA. The latter is said to have ‘long granted BoBA permission to go ahead with dual membership application by the International Boxing Association (IBA).’

Seleka says ‘the decision to join World Boxing has been reached with major focus on athletes’ interest, more especially participation in major recognised games such as the upcoming Olympics.’

Meanwhile, the BoBA Publicity Secretary says they expect more countries from the region to also join World Boxing as well. He says ‘most Southern Africa countries are in process of joining the World Boxing and or some might be awaiting to follow first movers in the region, who include BOBA.’

The new developments mean BoBA’s earlier decision to adopt ‘a wait and see strategy’ and to ‘monitor the events as they unfold’ has paid dividends. The association can now enjoy the benefits accrued from the two amateur boxing bodies without sacrificing one for another.