The former 400 metres runner, who won bronze at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Junior Championships in Grossetto, Italy in 2004, will be tasked with providing assistance in areas such as athletes and coach development, Olympic solidarity programmes and funding.

He takes over the role from Robert Mutsauki of Zimbabwe and says he is looking forward to helping the 54 African National Olympic Committees (NOCs) going forward.

“I have been tasked with making follow up on offers for training of African experts by partner organisations and National Olympic Committees,” he said.

“I will always look for ways African member NOCs can exploit opportunities provided by International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“There is nothing different that will be extended to Botswana and not to other countries just because I am from Botswana.

“Maybe my country can benefit from my experience after the contract has elapsed.”

As part of his role, Ngwigwa will serve on ANOCA’s Coordination Commission, which evaluates and supervises host cities for major Games, along with compatriot and Botswana National Olympic Committee chief executive officer Tuelo Serufho.

The duo will be charged with helping to assess the preparations of Algerian capital Algiers, which is due to stage the 2018 African Youth Games.

“No Botswanan has ever served at that level in continental sport, and as such the development is trailblazing, which the country should cherish,” Serufho added.

“He will carve the path for others to follow, both in continental and international sport bodies.”