Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Professor Martin Mokgwathi, says it is crucial to equip young athletes with social skills and high quality training to enhance their performance and personal development. Professor Mokgwathi said such could be achieved by providing them with the right coaches, training equipment, physicians and other healthcare providers.
Professor Mokgwathi was speaking at the official opening of Botswana Sport Science and Medicine Symposium the Botswana National Sports Council organised in partnership with University of Botswana Department of Physical Education at UB Conference Centre on August 10, 2018.
The Symposium was held under the theme: From Youth to Elite Sport Performance: The Role of Sport Science and Medicine. The aim was to ensure that elite coaches and officers responsible for sport development kept pace with the latest developments in sports science and coaching.
Professor Mokgwathi said highlighted the importance of equipping young athletes with social skills for better development and growth of high quality athletes who could compete with the rest of world. In addition, such could further assist in their personal development to become responsible and active citizens.
The event was graced by experts from different fields such as sports medicine, biomechanics, sports psychology and exercise physiology who shared the latest trends in sports science and coaching with the attendees.
Officially opening the symposium, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development Permanent Secretary, Mr Kago Ramokate, said his ministry was happy to see the development of young athletes because it would enhance Botswana’s competitiveness in global sport.
Mr Ramokate said the ministry’s vision was for Botswana to win at least five medals in each and every Olympics Games.
University of Botswana Department of Physical Education lecturer, Dr Dawn Mahube Tladi, said together with her colleagues they were working on a research study aimed at obtaining data on the level of youth participation and development through sports in Botswana.