06 Apr 2025

Botswana’s top athlete, Letsile Tebogo emerged the biggest winner at the 44^th Botswana Sports Award as he bagged Sportsperson of the Year Award for the fourth consecutive time winning P100 000.

He was also named the Sportsman of the Year and won P75 000. Tebogo, recently named Kids’ Athletics ambassador by World Athletics, had an outstanding 2024 becoming the first athlete in Africa to win the Olympic gold medal in 200m and was also part of the 4x400m relay team which won gold at the World Relays and silver at the Olympics.

He was also named Men’s World Athlete of the Year, the first African sprinter to receive the honour. 

Rising tennis player, Malak Macheng won two prestigious awards, the Junior Female Athlete and the Public Athlete/Team of the year, an award voted for by the public. Malak had a good tennis year having won back to back CAT 14 and Under titles, making her one of the top ranked players in Africa. Ntungamile Raguin of tennis was named Junior Sportsman of the Year while Edwin Masuge of athletics won Sportsman with Disability award. 

Another award recipient was Gaone Poane, tennis umpire, who scooped the Umpire/Referee of the year and the WASBO Special Award for her remarkable advocacy and contribution to sport. Poane served as an umpire in a number of international tournaments including the Paris 2024 Olympics. Another WASBO Special Award recipient was Sharon Reakae of Special Olympics, while Gloria Majaga of athletics won the Sportswoman with Disability. 

Chess star player, Naledi Marape, who is studying in the United States of America won the Woman of the Year Award. Oreeditse Marakakgoro was one  of the Minister’s Award recipients.  Marakakgoro, who was Team Botswana’s Chef de Mission for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, was described as having executed her assignment diligently as Team Botswana bought the first ever Olympic gold medal courtesy of Tebogo and silver medal through the 4x400m men relay team.

Marakakgoro expressed her excitement, saying she was grateful to her mentor, Game Mothibi. She said her mentor held her hand for many years since 2014, helping her pursue her sporting career. Another Minister’s Award was Mark Germiquet, who represented Botswana in the World Toughest Row, a challenge that Botswana knew little about.

When handing over the award to Germiquet, Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng said Germiquet’s exploits had not only highlighted the resilience and determination of Botswana’s spirit but had also brought spotlight on Botswana.  

Athletics coach, Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane walked away with the Coach of the Year award for nurturing some of top Botswana athletes.Mosimanyane dedicated the award to his mother saying she had contributed a lot in his coaching career.

He said for the past three years, his mother allowed some athletes to camp in her house in Maun, providing them with all the necessities including food and electricity. Moses Bantsi of athletics won sports Administrator of the Year and Sumod Damoudar of cricket won Non-Citizen Award of the Year award. The Botswana Table Tennis Association was named National Sporting Association of the year. ENDS