The government of Botswana, represented by the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Shaw Kgathi, and the Association of National Olympic Committees, represented by its president, In-

tendant General Lassana Palenfo, on 12 March 2013, signed an agree-ment to officially award the right to host the 2nd edition of the African Youth Games to Gaborone, capital city of Botswana. Apart from the two dignitaries above, the heavily attended ceremony, which was aired live on national television, was also graced by eminent personalities such as the country’s vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Botswana

2nd African Youth Games Officially Awarded to Gaborone

PRESS RElEaSE

Association des ComitésNationaux Olympiques d’Afrique

Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa

National Olympic Committee (BNOC) President, Negroes Kgosietsile, and the Mayor of Gaborone, Haskins Nkaigwa.

A number of speeches were delivered on this occasion, foremost amongst them that of the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Shaw Kgathi, who pointed out that it had been a long and strenuous journey began in 2011, when the idea was first mooted for Botswana to host the 2nd edition of the African Youth Games. This was followed up on 2 August 2012 at the London 2012 Africa Village, where the country’s delegation to the Games officially presented their bid to African Olympic Move-ment officials. When BNOC President, Negroes Kgosietsile, took the floor, he than-ked ANOCA for recognising their country’s potential to host the 2014 African Youth jamboree. Intendant General Lassana Palenfo on his part underscored that, “Youths from 53 countries will be in your country not only to compete, but also to learn from one another. Lifelong friendships will most certainly be struck up, which will leave indelible memories … You have risen to the challenge and our hope is that these Games will be games of innovation, creativity, joy of effort and the dissemination of Olympic values.”

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Suffice it to note that the African Youth Games are a quadrennial event which was first initiated by ANOCA during the 2009-2012 Olympiad and are meant for youths aged less than 18. The maiden edition was hosted in Rabat, Morocco, from 13 to 18 July 2010.

Also worthy of note is the fact that the Chairlady of the Local Organi-sing Committee, Regina Vaka, the Mayor of Gaborone, Haskins Nkai-gwa, ANOCA President, Intendant General Lassana Palenfo and BNOC President, Negroes Malealea Kgosietsile, each planted a tree to com-memorate what could be termed the beginning of the road for Gaborone 2014, which has 14 sports discipline on schedule.

Botswana has in the past played host to some international sports events, namely: the African Cadet Cup in 1997, the Athens 2004 qualifying boxing tournament and the Junior African Athletics Championships in 2011.