Botswana's Government are helping fund its team's preparations for this year's Africa Games in Morocco ©Getty Images

Botswana's Government is funding the country's team preparations for the African Games in Morocco later this month, it has been revealed.

Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) chief executive officer Tuelo Serufho announced that the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development is investing P18 million (£1.3 million/$1.6 million/€1.4 million) before the team leaves for Morocco for the Games due to begin on August 19. 

The BNOC is also working together for the first time with Botswana National Sport Commission to coordinate the team for the Games scheduled to end on August 31. 

"For the first time, the Association of National Olympic Committees in Africa and African Union (AU) Sport Council are delivering the Games together," Serufho told local newspaper Mmegi. 

Botswana is planning to send a team of 103 athletes and 37 officials from 10 sports to the Games, which are being held predominantly in Rabat but with other some events taking place in Casablanca, El Jadida and Khemisset.

Botswana's judo team is due to be the first group of athletes to fly out to Morocco. 

"Other teams are currently training outside the country, with some in Europe," Serufho said. 

"That means they would jet straight to the venue, but those who are in Southern Africa would come here first,"

Serufho is hopeful that the Games will provide valuable experience for some of Botswana's young athletes. 

"They might be the best in their age groups, but we are developing them for future competitions," he told Mmegi. 

"We do not want to put them under pressure,"

Nijel Amos celebrates after winning the 800 metres in Brazzaville, one of Botswana's three gold medals at the 2015 Africa Games, as they finished 14th overall ©Getty Images
Nijel Amos celebrates after winning the 800 metres in Brazzaville, one of Botswana's three gold medals at the 2015 Africa Games, as they finished 14th overall ©Getty Images

Malabo in Equatorial Guinea was originally awarded the African Games in 2016 but withdrew because of economic problems and they were given last year to Morocco. 

It will be the first time Morocco have competed in the event since Algiers 1978.

The North Africans were banned from the Games by the AU following a long-standing territory dispute over Western Sahara.

In 2017 Morocco signed a treaty with the AU and pledged to return to the Games, stepping in to host them a year later. 

More than 7,000 athletes from 54 countries are set to take part in the African Games 

At the last African Games, in Brazzaville in the Republic of the Congo, Botswana finished 14th in the medals table.

They won a total of 15 medals, including three gold. 

All the gold medals came in athletics thanks to Isaac Makwala and Nijel Amos in the men's 400 and 800 metres respectively. and Kabelo Kgosiemang in the high jump.