The Golden Goose

Baitshepi Sekgweng
PUNCH OF DELIGHT: Team BW’s Athletics Coach, Dipeba

Dipeba receives unusual rewards from UB Sports Department

 

“To take money from your pockets to do this for me, it’s too special! ” Dipeba

While his troops flew across the track to bronze glory, brand new houses and P50, 000, Team BW Athletics coach, Justice Dipeba, will be flying high after he was given geese for his sterling behind-the-scenes efforts at Tokyo 2020.

The unusual reward was handed over by University of Botswana’s (UB) Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation on Friday.

As well as the feathered white birds, Dipeba also received trees, a cooking pot and mesh wire.

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Clearly moved by the gesture, the coaching icon, who is in fact a UB employee, was extremely grateful for the gifts.

“I’m excited because this means a lot. I consider myself lucky to have people like my colleagues. To take money from your pockets to do this for me, it’s too special! We help each other grow.”

The humble athletics guru, who has also served as Isaac Makwala’s personal coach, was quick to praise UB for their impact on his career.

Team BW’s Athletics Coach, Justice Dipeba

“The contribution of this department and institution to my career is immense and immeasurable; you have always availed facilities and allowed me to serve the nation. There was never a day that this school failed to release me for my international assignments,” declared Dipeba, a long-serving coach of UB’s athletics team.

During his stellar career with Team BW, Dipeba has overseen the nation’s athletes at Olympics, Africa Games, Africa Senior Championships, Commonwealth and World Relays.

Raking in countless accolades in his time, Dipeba laid his golden egg at this year’s Games in Tokyo, Japan, where he guided the men’s 4x400m relay team to a third place finish, securing Botswana’s second ever Olympic medal and setting a new Africa record in both the semi-finals and finals.

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Meanwhile, speaking at the award ceremony, UB Deputy Vice Chancellor–Student Affairs, Motsei Rapelana said she was particularly proud the first-of-its-kind initiative came from the department and not the university.

“We are glad to share you with the nation, what you did is marvellous. It shows how UB contribute a lot to Botswana sport. We are all celebrating the team but let’s not forget that without him there is no team. At his prime he is still able to groom more young athletes, and his success is a clear indication of our commitment to help in Botswana sports development,” stated Rapelana.

 

(Issue V1229 FRIDAY 24.12.2021)
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