Gaborone, Botswana: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the 10th edition of the Inter-Foreign Affairs Ministries SADC Games at Baisago University in Gaborone on 11th November 2023.
The one-day sporting event brought together Foreign Affairs officials from Botswana, Lesotho, and Zambia to compete in friendly matches. These included netball, football, volleyball, golf, and a 5km track. The event concluded with an awards ceremony.
The Games, which were last hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho, aim to strengthen cooperation ties and bonds of friendship among Foreign Ministries within the SADC region. The Games also provide the opportunity to enhance regional integration through sports diplomacy.
This year’s one-day sporting event will bring together an estimated two hundred Foreign Affairs officials from Botswana, Lesotho and Zambia to compete in friendly matches, which will include netball, football, volleyball and golf.
The Zambia High Commission participated in the 10th Edition of the Inter-Foreign Affairs Ministries SADC games for the first time.
The mission participated in a 5 km fun race, golf, chess, and ladies’ football. In chess, the mission bagged a bronze medal and silver medals in the ladies’ football category.
The sporting event brought together officials from Botswana and Lesotho. The games provide the opportunity to enhance regional integration through sports diplomacy, and hosting is done on a rotational basis.
High Commissioner Pamela M. Chisanga attended the awards ceremony and thanked the Government of the Republic of Botswana for hosting the games and called for collaboration among the region through sporting events.
The 5 km fun race was categorised by age groups, and Botswana was awarded gold medals for all races except the 50 and above race, where we attained second position. The results of the remaining games were as follows:
Sport 1st Position 2nd Position 3rd Position
Netball Botswana Lesotho –
Men’s football Botswana Lesotho –
Women’s football Botswana Zambia Lesotho
Mixed volleyball Botswana Lesotho –
Snooker Botswana Lesotho –
Botswana was awarded the best overall performing team.