08 Mar 2022

Reowned athletes; Christine Mboma (200m, Namibia)  and Ferguson Rotich (800m, Kenya) will participate in this year’s  Gaborone International Meet (GIM) edition.

GIM organising committee chairperson, Barulaganye Mogotsi, confirmed in a press conference in Gaborone yesterday that Botswana’s 800m runner, Nijel Amos, would also compete in the meet billed for the National Stadium on April 30.

Mogotsi said, despite some international athletes showing interest in the meet, organisers could not close deals with them due to financial constraints.

He said Namibia, South Africa, Cameroon, Germany, Poland, Kenya, eSwatini, Lesotho, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe had confirmed their participation.

The event will be divided into four categories; premium, classic, promotional and unclassified. Mogotsi said  the premium category paid more money followed by classic and promotional.

He said the organisers chose events according to the potential of their athletes.

Mogotsi, however, said GIM was an international track and field event that countries, coaches and athletes were looking forward to use as a qualifier for the upcoming competitions, amongst them, Africa Championships, Commonwealth Games, World Under 20 Championships and the World Championships.

“It should be noted that World Athletics has given us a continental tour, bronze status. Our event is the only onet that has such a status in Southern Africa. Additionally, it is ranked amongst the top five in Africa,” he said

He said they were expecting 200 athletes, 70 technical officials and 50 volunteers, adding that COVID-19 protocols requirements would be observed as spectators would be allowed into the National Stadium.

GIM founder, Glody Dube, appealed to the private sector to sponsor the event, adding that most world meets were named after the sponsors.  

Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho, said GIM was not just an ordinary event, given that it was contributing to the economy and had greater potential to help lift the tourism sector.

“Therefore, as a commission, we are committing to be part of your journey,” he said. Ends