Team Botswana returns from the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games without a medal, despite encouraging individual performances that saw its young athletes reach finals, record personal bests and gain valuable international experience.
Botswana sent six athletes to the Games in Dakar, Senegal, competing in athletics, boxing, judo and swimming. Although the campaign did not produce a podium finish, there were promising performances, particularly in athletics and swimming. Aobakwe Geza finished sixth in the men’s 400m final after clocking 49.41 seconds, while Mpho Maano placed eighth in the women’s 800m final in a time of 2:26.58.
Both athletes managed to reach the finals, giving Botswana representation among the leading competitors in their respective events, although they fell short of the medal positions. In the swimming pool, Tema Modirelabangwe and Melodi Saleshando also delivered encouraging performances, winning their respective heats in the 50m backstroke.
Modirelabangwe topped Heat 2 of the men’s event in a personal best time of 29.95 seconds. He finished 24th overall among 33 competitors but did not advance to the next round.
Saleshando also won her heat in the women’s 50m backstroke, touching the wall in 30.87 seconds to finish 19th overall among 45 competitors. Her performance was not enough to secure qualification for the next round.
While neither swimmer progressed, their heat victories provided encouraging signs for Botswana’s young swimming talent, with Modirelabangwe particularly rewarded with a personal best on the international stage. In boxing, Precious Masaba’s campaign came to an end in the women’s 51kg quarter-finals after she lost to Canada’s Mehreen Khakh. Masaba had reached the last eight, gaining valuable exposure against international opposition, although she missed out on an opportunity to fight for a medal.
Sitale said the BNOC had deliberately avoided setting a medal target, placing greater emphasis on participation, enjoyment and allowing the athletes to perform to the best of their abilities. “We have not set a target for them, our objective is simple, we want them to enjoy the games and give their best,” he said.
The six-member delegation also included judo captain Theresa Tagarira, alongside Geza and Maano in athletics, Masaba in boxing, and Saleshando and Modirelabangwe in swimming. The team travelled to Senegal with the backing of the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), whose president, Tshepo Sitale, Chief Executive Officer Dorothy Tlagae Gaseitsiwe and other part of delegation.
Prior to their departure, Sitale had urged the young athletes to trust their preparation, execute their skills and compete with confidence.
Sitale said the BNOC had deliberately avoided setting a medal target, placing greater emphasis on participation, enjoyment and allowing the athletes to perform to the best of their abilities. “We have not set a target for them, our objective is simple, we want them to enjoy the games and give their best,” he said.
His position reflected the developmental focus of the Youth Olympic Games, which provide young competitors with an opportunity to gain experience against international opposition as they prepare for future senior-level competitions. Sitale also appealed to parents to encourage children to participate in sport and support the development of their talents from an early age.
“Instead of allowing them to spend their time playing in the streets, let us guide them toward sport,” he said. While Botswana’s Dakar campaign ended without a medal, the performances of Geza, Maano, Masaba, Saleshando and Modirelabangwe offered valuable lessons and international exposure.
