13 Aug 2015

Someone wrote “they have never liked Nijel Amos.” Another remarked that commentators love David Rudisha. However, Botswana’s 800m champion, Nijel cares less about what they say.

As Batswana wondered about television commentators’ somewhat patronising attitude towards Nijel, I also got intrigued as to whether what they said really mattered? Certainly, the world knows Nijel is from Botswana! It was not his first victory over Rudisha.

Again there are a number of factors. Kenyans are renowned for middle and distance races just like Nigeria’s Super Eagles are to African football.

However, of late things have changed. It is not surprising for the Super Eagles to miss qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

So the same goes for athletics. The breaking and setting of records at international level is not a Kenyan preserve given small countries such as Botswana are steadily making their mark in track and field events.

Incidentally, Nijel’s experience with television commentators can be likened to Kabelo Mmono’s during the 2003 All Africa Games in Nigeria. 

The Botswana high jumper had to literally sing the national anthem after he won a gold medal because the organisers did not have the anthem.

Although one may say it was an omission, we should not ignore the fact that Botswana was by then an unknown quantity hence there was the possibility that the organisers did not anticipate a Botswana athlete clinching a gold medal.

 Realising their mistake, the 4x4 relay team, which also bagged a gold medal at the same meet, would then have a national anthem sung for them.
Notwithstanding, Batswana have made their mark before in the likes of Glody Dube and Gable Garenamotse. 

Currently, we have a pool of competitive athletes such as Isaac Makwala, Kabelo Kgosiemang, Amantle Montsho and of course Nijel. 

Again, given government’s efforts such as the setting up of centres of excellence, partnerships with international sporting bodies among others, the world should brace for the best yet to come.

Nijel is leading the way and even eclipsing those who were his role models. All in all, the moral of this story is that as Batswana we need to rally behind our own and instill a spirit of self-realisation in them. 

All we have to do is to believe in them and show the world that we can. 

The more we rally behind the Nijels the more we will triumph and have more Nijels.  

Let’s be patriotic and celebrate the blue, black and white colours. The time is now. ENDS