Botswana aiming to host 2022 Youth Olympic Games

The IOC is currently inspecting facilities in the Botswana capital of Gaberone. Photo: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

The IOC is currently inspecting facilities in the Botswana capital of Gaberone. Photo: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Published May 18, 2018

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GABORONE – Botswana officials are optimistic that Gaborone can host a successful 2022 Youth Olympic Games.

Gaborone is one of three cities being inspected at the moment by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), led by Youth Olympic associate director Antoine Goetschy. Also in attendance is former Olympic Games executive director, Gilbert Felli.

Tuelo Serufho, Botswana National Olympic Committee chief executive, said the city is ready to host the event in an interview with website insidethegames.

“We believe we have gathered enough experience over the years such that we should now be ready to take on a bigger task; like hosting a Youth Olympic Games,” he said. 

“Our government has invested quite heavily in the development of sport infrastructure over the last two decades, such that we already have in place facilities for most sports that generally feature on the programme of the Youth Olympic Games.

“The rave reviews that we received after hosting the second African Youth Games in 2014, the generally sold out venues at the same Games and extent to which Botswana was united behind and made proud by the Games in addition to the great sport, tourism and business potential that we see in hosting the Youth Olympic Games, are what have motivated us to want to seize the opportunity presented to Africa in 2022.

Bostwana already boast the successful hosting of the 2014 African Youth Games in Gaborone.

“Our Games would probably be among the most compact Olympic Games ever held, as our identified Games Village is literally a few minutes’ walk to many of the sport facilities and hotels; creating great convenience for athletes, officials and other delegates, in addition to reducing logistical headaches as well as costs.” 

African News Agency (ANA)

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