In a mostly muddy and wet weather in the highlands of Maseru Lesotho, Botswana Power Corporation teams exhibited willpower and character to show that they are still a force to reckon with enduring strong challenges from their Southern Africa counter-parts at the just ended Inter-power Games.
The games which were held mostly at Setsoto Statdium and Lesotho High School ran over a period of two days from the 19th to the 20th of April 2019 culminating with a glamorous awards ceremony which was graced by the country’s Minister of Justice, Honourable Mokhele Moletsane and Minister of Water, Honourable Samokelo Ntsekele.
Botswana Power Corporation scooped 4 Gold medals with the overall winners NamPower garnering the most gold medals. BPC were also presented with a social award for Best Dressed delegation for donning their white t-shirts, caps and tracksuits with a dash of purple.
Other power utilities competing at the games included Eswatini Electricity Company (ECC), Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) and the host Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA).
Gold Winning Teams
400m Men
The much anticipated 400m race lived to expectation as all the athletes made their case on the track. As expected by the spectators, at the end of the day it was between Namibia representative and BPC’s Onkemetse Dinotshe popularly known as ‘Tiger’ who broke from the pack on the final stretch. Tiger beat his Namibian counterpart to scoop Gold sending the Botswana crowd into euphoria as BPC attained its first Gold medal out of three track events.
Tug of War
The Tug of War team was clear from the onset that they wanted top spot with their morale at rooftop upon arrival at the Setsoto stadium. They coined a hashtag #BringBackOurGold to signal their intention. They would sing and round the pitch in military style as part of their stretch and warm up something which may have also left their opponents in fear. They did not disappoint as they swept the decks clean to win Gold medals and a trophy.
Chess
In a sport that can be likened to the popular TV series Game of Thrones as it requires strategy and it was the BPC team that proved to be ahead of the lot bagging a Gold medal. The Chess team was a mix of the young and the mature bringing together their wisdom and agility to make BPC proud.
Netball
Our netball ladies were the fairest of them all in their category as they dominated all their games, only drawing one. The team was largely based on experience, making the ball do the run around instead of them. They had moments of total dominance that left their relatively young opponents huffing and puffing trying to chase the ball. With a balanced defence, mid-court and attack, Gold was never in doubt for our ladies.
Professional Category
In the professional category BPC was represent by Change Management Manager Moses Kaisara whose presentation was focused on how power utilities can continue being relevant and contribute to economic growth in their countries. Mr Kaisara urged organisation to judge themselves from a customer perspective as a way of not only knowing but also understanding the needs of the customer such that they can be able to serve the customer better.
Closing Ceremony
When officially closing the games, Minister of Justice Honourable Mokhele Moletsane described sports as a universal language. “Sports is a universal language, and a language of love and friendship. At its best sports brings together people of different backgrounds and cultures to share happiness”, he also said.
He also commended the Professional Category adding that the platform allows for exchange of ideas between organisation as utilities are looking to become more customer centric and satisfy the needs of the shareholders.
“The Inter-Power games are a reflection of the SADC principles that speak of uniting and harmonising people of the region and the realisation of strong co-operation and integration”, said Honourable Mokhele as he marked the games closed.
In his remarks at the closing ceremony Lesotho Highlands Development Authority acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mahase Thokoa said that Inter-Power games are held in the spirit of friendship and promoting fitness and wellness amongst employees. He thanked the Chief Executives of participating utilities for allowing their staff to participate at the games, calling it a commendable gesture.
Below is a Tabulation of the standings from the 2019 Games:
100 meters
| Ladies | | | Gentlemen | |
| | | | | |
| 3rd Position – Modikwa | BPC | | 3rd Position - Sabelo | EEC |
| 2nd Position – Andile | EEC | | 2nd Position – Kenneth | BPC |
| 1st Position – Hendrina | Nampower | | 1st Position - Sam | Nampower |
| | | | | |
200 meters
| Ladies | | | Gentlemen | |
| | | | | |
| 3rd Position – Funekile | EEC | | 3rd Position - Lefetogile | BPC |
| 2nd Position - Ontumetse | BPC | | 2nd Position – Rakuoane | LHDA |
| 1st Position – Juutty | Nampower | | 1st Position - Henock | Nampower |
| | | | | |
400 meters
| Ladies | | | Gentlemen | |
| | | | | |
| 3rd Position – Selma | Nampower | | 3rd Position - Tibane | LHDA |
| 2nd Position – Kaliki | LHDA | | 2nd Position – Hafeni | Nampower |
| 1st Position – Nfokotiso | EEC | | 1st Position - Dinotshe | BPC |
| | | | | |
4 x 100 meters
| Ladies | | | Gentlemen | |
| | | | | |
| 3rd Position | BPC | | 3rd Position | LHDA |
| 2nd Position | EEC | | 2nd Position | Nampower |
| 1st Position | Nampower | | 1st Position | EEC |
| | | | | |
4 x 400 meters
| Ladies | Company | | Gentlemen | |
| | | | | |
| 3rd Position | EEC | | 3rd Position | EEC |
| 2nd Position | BPC | | 2nd Position | BPC |
| 1st Position | Nampower | | 1st Position | Nampower |
| | | | | |
TUG OF WAR
| Position | Company |
| | |
| 3rd Position | Nampower |
| 2nd Position | EEC |
| 1st Position | BPC |
| | |
GOLF
| Position | Company |
| | |
| 3rd Position | BPC |
| 2nd Position | Nampower |
| 1st Position | EEC |
| | |
SOCCER
| Position | Company |
| | |
| 3rd Position | BPC |
| 2nd Position | LHDA |
| 1st Position | LEC |
NETBALL
| Position | Company |
| | |
| 3rd Position | LEC |
| 2nd Position | Nampower |
| 1st Position | BPC |
| | |
VOLLEYBALL
| Position | Company |
| | |
| 3rd Position | LEC |
| 2nd Position | BPC |
| 1st Position | Nampower |
| | |
LAWN TENNIS
| Position | Company |
| | |
| 3rd Position | Nampower |
| 2nd Position | LEC |
| 1st Position | LHDA |
| | |
POOL
| Position | Company |
| | |
| 3rd Position | BPC |
| 2nd Position | LEC |
| 1st Position | EEC |
| | |
DARTS
| Position | Company |
| | |
| 3rd Position | BPC |
| 2nd Position | LEC |
| 1st Position | EEC |
| | |
CHESS
| Position | Company |
| | |
| 3rd Position | LHDA |
| 2nd Position | Nampower |
| 1st Position | BPC |
| | |
MORABA-RABA
| Position | Company |
| | |
| 3rd Position | EEC |
| 2nd Position | LHDA |
| 1st Position | LEC |
| | |
TABLE TENNIS
| Position | Company |
| | |
| 3rd Position | BPC |
| 2nd Position | EEC |
| 1st Position | LHDA |
| | |
THE MOST CHEERFUL TEAM - NAMPOWER
THE BEST TEAM SPIRIT - LHDA
THE BEST DRESSED TEAM - BPC
BEST DISCIPLINED TEAM - NAMPOWER
