NANCY RAMOKHUA
Botswana Table Tennis Association (BTTA) in collaboration with other sport associations has successfully honored the High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Botswana His Excellency Dr Rajesh Ranjan, giving him a great send off as they bid him farewell on Thursday. Ranjan who has served and completed his term as the High Commissioner of India to Botswana since 2018 has been re-assigned to Ivory Coast and will be officially leaving the country on January 9th 2023. As a front-runner in many engagements particularly local sporting codes, he has been instrumental in the sports fraternity influencing and impacting the transformation of sports in Botswana. His generosity towards table tennis as well as the entire sports community has over the past five years yielded tangible results.
Ranjan has equally contributed to various sporting associations inclusive of Botswana Cycling Association, Southern Epic Cycling Challenge, Botswana National Olympic Committee and Botswana National Sports Committee among many others. The Chairman of Southern Epic Cycling Challenge Kaone Ramontshonyana described Ranjan as a conscience leader when dealing with progressive development, noting that his efforts of fast tracking and speeding up developments are commendable, recognizing the success of the Southern Epic Cycling Challenge. He further noted that the current success of the Southern Epic Cycling Challenge is as a result of Ranjan’s spearheaded contribution. “Covid19 had affected us so much that we recently made our come back in 2022 after a halt, through the invested efforts of the Indian High Commission,”Ramontshonyana said, hailing the leadership of Ranjan.
Well known for being the hub of table tennis, India has through Ranjan’s tenure absorbed a number of local athletes within the past years since 2020. As one of the beneficiaries, BTTA has acquired scholarship for 9 athletes to study in India who have profited through the India Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship program. Over 55 athletes have been offered scholarship across various sporting codes while 35 have been employed. According to the President of Botswana Table Tennis Association Kudzanani Motswagole, BTTA wishes to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and working with stakeholders is a pathway towards fulfilling their dreams. “We are willing to continue working on the dream we shared together with the new ambassador and ensure that your legacy lives on,” Motswagole said in gratitude to Ranjan’s heartfelt contribution towards the success of sports. He further mentioned that at BTTA, they are hopeful for continued support from the Indian High Commission even after biding Ranjan farewell.
Ranjan declared that his aspiration to have worked with young people for a greater course has been the fulfillment of one among many of his desires as a leader. “I have always desired to directly interact with youth. In the past I have only worked with young people through ministries. As such it is in my delight that it has been fulfilled,”Ranjan gladly highlighted. He added that young people have the potential to succeed especially through sports. “Youth must find a future in sport. There should be a linkage between sport and employment. As such it is ideal for Batswana to utilize the sports space for their benefit,”Ranjan said.