27 Jan 2022

Gaborone International Meet (GIM) promises to be bigger and better this year.

The event is billed for the National Stadium on April 30.

Since GIM has been admitted in the World Athletics calendar, it has potential to attract athletes from not only the region, but other continents.

As part of preparing for a world class event, GIM director, Glody Dube, was invited to the 2021 Kip Keino Classic, world athletics continental tour gold level series, for benchmarking purposes.

In December a delegation from Kenya, comprising Kip Keino classic CEO, Martino Keino and Kenya athletics representative, Charlotte Kurgoy came to Botswana to appreciate and help local organising committee with tips to host a successful bronze meet.

GIM spokesperson, Calistus Kolantsho, said preparations were going well despite some challenges.

He said the positive thing was that since starting preparations, GIM had been working closely with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development.

He said the ministry had also given an assurance of financial assistance for the 2022 edition.

Kolantsho said GIM had a tight budget and assistance from government was a welcome development.

“Government has pledged P400 000 and are open for negotiation, but still we are pleading with stakeholders to come on board so that we can have a successful event,” he said.

Kolantsho said the main challenge on their side was accommodation for the athletes, appearance fee and transport for elite athletes.

He said they had invited top athletes including Olympic and World Championship champions, but were also eying Namibian top sprinter, Christina Mboma.

Kolantsho said they had already completed a draft programme of activities as well as the manual of the event and only awaiting approval.

He said they were in a process to conclude negotiations with University of Botswana for use of its stadium as a warm-up area. ENDS