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It was a nostalgic moment for the University of Botswana Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, when he performed the official opening of the BOLESWA Inter-Varsity Games at the UB Campus Indoor Sports Centre on March 19, 2018.

Professor Norris is a University of Botswana alumnus, and during his university days he played soccer for UB Kicks, the then University men’s soccer team. The Inter-Varsity games bring together various sporting codes from national universities of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland for a week-long sporting competitions. However, this year, the National University of Lesotho (NUL) did not make it, and so the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) and Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) were invited to fill the gap.

The electrifying opening ceremony which was graced by one of Botswana’s premier cultural groups, Culture Spears, and various sports administrators from the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) and Botswana National Sports Commission, was enough to prompt Professor Norris to tell the jubilant crowd that although he had gained some body weight he was a regular feature in the UB soccer team.

He recognised the games as much more than just performance in that they nurture friendship and respect for each other. He added that it was through such games that the participating teams could cultivate the spirit of peace, tolerance and brotherhood.

Professor Norris also urged the athletes to play it safe and clean by avoiding performance enhancing drugs. “I urge you to compete in a spirit of friendship, peace and brotherhood and we must reject cheating and the use of performance enhancing drugs,” he said in relation to this year’s theme: Clean Botswana Games.

Earlier on, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Professor Martin Mokgwathi, described the games as a springboard towards international sporting activities such as the Olympics and other inter-continental games.

Professor Mokgwathi also reiterated that the BOLESWA Inter-varsity Games were aimed at nurturing honesty and integrity in competitions and other life spheres. He urged participants to compete to their best levels and to avoid things that could have serious repercussions on their lives.

Ms Yarona Sharp, BNOC board member, delivered a message of support to women in sport and culture, noting that this was in acknowledgement of the fact that historically women had been playing an insignificant role in sport. However, Ms Yarona expressed delight that nowadays women were a big part of sport. She warned athletes against doping which she regretted had put Botswana under the spotlight.