Botswana Declares Public Holiday To Celebrate Country’s First Ever World Athletics Gold

Botswana’s President Duma Gideon Boko has declared September 29 a public holiday, a day before Botswana’s Independence Day, in celebration of the country’s first-ever gold medal victory at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

President Boko, addressing compatriots from New York, where he is attending the United Nations 80th General Assembly, hailed the momentous win as “Historic African Victory!” in a passionate online address.

“I’ll be sure to tell everyone, Botswana’s natural diamonds are not just in the ground, they are our World Champion athletes,” he said, reflecting national pride in the team’s achievement

Speaking in high spirits, Boko described the moment as “electric”, a performance that spoke to Botswana’s rising stature on the global stage.

“You spoke to the world,” he said.

“You announced that we must be taken seriously. We are here to dominate.”

He lauded the athletes for their resilience, self-belief, and behind-the-scenes hard work.

“We are proud, proud of our boys, proud of the coaches, and proud of all those who put in tireless effort,” Boko added.

By declaring the public holiday, the President ensured that Botswana’s Independence Day on September 30 will be extended into a weekend of national celebration, honouring both the country’s founding and its historic athletic milestone.

Botswana clinched the gold medal in Tokyo, marking its first in the history of the World Athletics Championships, a landmark moment that has captured national attention and placed the country in the global sports spotlight.

President Boko’s declaration and remarks underscore the government’s effort to leverage sporting success as a symbol of Botswana’s broader ambition and identity.