22 Feb 2022

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) experienced low number of athletes at cross country national finals in Moshupa on Sunday.

Senior men were the only ones who came in high numbers while the other categories had low numbers.

In an interview, BAA vice-president - Administration, Oabona Theetso highlighted that the athletes came in low numbers due to preparations for Kazungula marathon.

“Most of the athletes might be preparing for Kazungula and resting, so that their bodies will be ready for the marathon, because prizes are higher for that race,” he added.

Furthermore, Theetso indicated that lack of school sport also contributed to low numbers especially for youth and juniors.

“We now only rely on clubs to provide us with athletes,” he said. Apart from low number of athletes, he said they were happy with how the event went.

He urged parents to encourage children to take part in athletics, which would keep them from taking part in illegal activities, adding that sport could also be a source of income.

The BAA vice president said going into the 2023 edition, they would have enough time between competitions so that the numbers of participants could improve.

“I believe if Kazungula marathon was not just around the corner, we could have had a good number of participants,” he said.

Theetso highlighted that the next edition would be better having recently secured a sponsorship.

“We will also invite athletes from other countries,” he said.

He appealed to more sponsors to support sport.

“Let us not only see them when our athletes are doing well, they should invest from an early stage, in that way they will know that they played a critical role in growing sport,” he said.

The competition was categorised into youth, juniors and seniors for both men and women. Youth girls competed in four kilometers race, boys six kilometers, junior women six kilometers, junior men in eight while senior men and women ran 10km.

In senior men category, Matlapeng Sesebo of Lefika Athletics Club defended his 2020 championship scooping position one after running 31:13.65 minutes, winning P1 000.

Keitshekile Tholego from Madinare Athletics Club came second with 32:54.25 minutes, walking away with P750 and Julius Monyeki of BDF Athletics Club got position three with 33:28.83 minutes, winning P500.

Tumelo Lesedinyana emerged victorious in senior women category with 41:53.81 minutes, winning P750, followed by Lesedi Tumelo with 43:34.68 minutes, walking away with P750. Thato Medupe of Madinare

Athletics Club got position three with 50:14.75 minutes and won P500.

Under junior men, Jaka Lebogang of Madinare Athletics Club scooped position one with 27:33.59 minutes, winning P750, followed by his team mate Mokaraoke Othusitse with 27:39.41 minutes and walked away with P500.

In junior women category, Olebogeng Segolame from Selebi Phikwe Athletics Club finished the race with 24:42.80 minutes and won P750.

Segolame Kenewamang from Selebi Phikwe Athletics Club emerged victorious in youth girls category, with 17:11.77 minutes, winning P500, Tebatso Batolomi from Sports View Runners Club came second with 17:59.15 minutes, winning P250. Sharif Balebetse won P150 on third position with 20:13.64 minutes.

Tlotlo Mokgatle of Lobatse Senior Secondary School emerged victorious in youth boys category, with 22:14.30 minutes and won P500, while Wame Shashampa of Moroka Athletics Club came second with 23:12.41 minutes, winning P250. Ends