GABORONE – This past weekend, 1st February 2025, the Ministry of Sport and Arts (MOSA), in collaboration with the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) and the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), successfully hosted the 2025 Sports Pitso under the theme, “Rethinking Sport: Advancing Botswana to Greater Heights.” The event attracted a diverse group of attendees, including various National Sport Associations, the Ministry of Basic Education and Child Welfare, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, corporate entities like Debswana, Okavango Diamond Company, Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO), Air Botswana, and the Botswana Gambling Authority, among others.
During the event, Permanent Secretary Ms. Nancy Neo Chengeta emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement in shaping the Ministry’s direction and fulfilling its mandate. She stated, “Our desire is that this Pitso opens doors for more specific and concrete partnerships that will help us leverage sporting expertise to drive efficiency, productivity, and elevate us to new heights as we compete regionally, across Africa, and globally.”
The Honourable Minister of Sport & Arts Jacob Kelebeng’s keynote address kicked off with a special moment as he presented a token of appreciation to the 200m gold medallist and sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo, presenting him with an award from the Council of the City of Philadelphia for his achievements. The Minister also stressed that the 2025 Sports Pitso provided a valuable opportunity for sports administrators, experts, and those overseeing daily operations to engage in meaningful discussions to enhance the management of sports. He encouraged the sports community to rethink the sector as not only a passion but also a lucrative industry and a marketable product.
Furthermore, Minister Kelebeng revealed that the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) Act No. 30 of 2014 is currently under review. He also took the opportunity to speak out against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), urging the development of sport-related programs that work to eliminate it. The Minister officially declared the 2025 Sports Pitso open to applause.
When delivering his remarks the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) Senior Vice President Tshepo Sitale, echoed the call for a renewed approach to sports, encouraging stakeholders to explore new possibilities and elevate Botswana’s sports scene. “As we engage in dialogue today, let us take an honest, holistic, and unbiased approach to discussions, so we can build a future we can all be proud of,” said Sitale. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Ministry and all sports stakeholders to take sports in Botswana to greater heights.
The event also featured insightful presentations from various stakeholders, including the Botswana Gambling Authority, which spoke on gambling in sports, Debswana, which discussed sports funding, and the BNSC, which presented on hosting international sporting events.
In his closing remarks, BNSC Chairperson Mr. Marumo Morule expressed gratitude to the Minister and the Permanent Secretary for their dedication throughout the day. He encouraged attendees to continue the conversation beyond the Pitso and to cultivate partnerships that would drive the sports sector forward. The 2025 Sports Pitso marked an important step in Botswana’s quest to reshape the future of sports and take it to new heights on the national and international stage.