Inside BW Women Sports Magazine in partnership with the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC), Women and Sport Botswana (WASBO) and the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) are scheduled to host the first ever Inaugural Annual Botswana Women in Sport Awards. When delivering an overview of the awards during the sponsors reveal at Lekidi Football Centre on 24th January 2023 in Gaborone, Inside BW Women Magazine, Chief Executive Officer Ms. Kesego Okie highlighted that the primary objective of the awards is to recognise and celebrate the country’s female sport excellence. She also revealed that the historic event will take place on 25th March 2023 at a venue to be announced soon.
The Inaugural Annual Botswana Women in Sport Awards will feature the following categories; Sports Woman of the year (Individual and Team sports), Coach of the Year, Coach of the Year (Team sport), Administrator of the Year, Sport Journalist of the Year (Print, TV, Radio and Photographer), Young and Promising Athlete of the Year, Best Athlete of the Year with Disability, Champion for equity award (commitment to gender equality and to the advancement of women and girls in sports through sponsorship), Courage Award (overcoming adversity and serves as a role model), Umpire of the Year, Team of the year, CEO’s Awards and lastly, HeForShe Award (Male committed to growth of women in sports). According to Ms Okie, nominations and selection of winners will be done by a panel of judges from various sectors and in sports. Nominees will be selected from National Sport Associations (NSAs), in which performance is going to be judged from 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022. She also highlighted that the public will have an opportunity to be a part of this event as tickets will be sold at different shops all over the country.
In delivering the keynote address, the BNSC Vice-Chairperson Ms Tebogo LebotseSebego said the Botswana National Sport Commission recognizes the importance of celebrating the achievements of women in sport. “We believe that it is essential to recognize and reward the hard work and dedication of female athletes, coaches, administrators and everyone else having a significant contribution and impact on the development and growth of women in sport in Botswana,” she said. She added that to emphasise the commitment to celebrate achievements of Women in Sport, in 2022, the Commission introduced a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy, with principles that will guide delivery around diversity and inclusion going forward. “Our endorsement of this initiative and presence here today specifically speaks to that,” she continued. Ms LebotseSebego further commended sponsors who heed to the call for their generous support of this initiative, alluding that this will go a long way in increasing the much needed visibility of women in sport.
The Botswana Football Association (BFA), Blue Skies PR Agency, Adventure 99, VTM Security, Lewakel Events, Woolworths Botswana, Ace Clothing, Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone, Dinkgwana Chillas Pub and Grill, Nubian Seed, Motswedi, Keyman Ventures were revealed as sponsors for the inaugural awards. The organizers said more companies are still welcome to come on board by contacting Inside BW Women Sports Magazine at Insidebwwomensports@gmail.com
For her part, Woman in Sport Botswana Chairperson Ms. Matlho Jennifer Kgosi, thanked the Commission and the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) for the continued unwavering support shown by the sports bodies. She also implored women to continue supporting each other, especially toward the success of this event.
Amongst dignitaries at the launch were the BNSC Chairperson Mr. Marumo Morule, the BNOC President, Col. Botsang Tshenyego and Board Members, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) Board Member Ms. Lobito Ncube and the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mfolo Mfolo, First National Bank Botswana (FNB) Sponsors and Events Manager Ms. Borethe Mogwe, Sponsors, Partners, and Members of the Media.