Botswana President Duma Boko praised the gold medal as a “historic African win”, in an online address praising the team for their performance.
He announced 29 September as a holiday to celebrate the achievement. The country’s Independence Day is September 30.
Botswana’s team of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi edged out the US, the winners of the last 10 world titles, in a rain-drenched race on Sunday. South Africa took third position.
“I’ll be sure to tell everyone, Botswana’s natural diamonds are not just in the ground, they are our World Champion athletes,” the president said, speaking from New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly.
He described the moment as “electric”, adding that Botswana’s performance spoke to its rising stature on the global stage.
The southern African nation finished fifth overall in the championship’s medal standings – behind the US, Kenya, the Netherlands and Canada – their best ever return after taking two golds, one silver and a bronze.
