04 Apr 2022

Gaborone International Meet (GIM) organisers are hard at work to ensure that the event is succesful, something that could upgrade its status from bronze to silver or even gold.

GIM spokesperson, Calistus Kolantsho, said preparations were going on well for the April 30 extravaganza.

For the meet to be upgraded, the organisers must ensure that the event is attended by a large number of spectators, observing all COVID-19 protocols and that it is run in accordance with World Athletics rules and tour regulations.

Kolantsho, however, decried the sponsorship drought, making it difficult for them to attract some of the top athletes in the world.

“Honestly we are still struggling in finding sponsorship. We had a meeting with one of the communications companies some weeks back, but they were yet to commit,” he said.

Kolantsho said the ultimate goal was to stage a successful event, which would be a passport to be upgraded to the next stage, where, with the help of World Athletics funding, it would be in a position to attract top athletes from around the world.

“Look at Kenya, they have Kip Keino Classical Continental Tour, it attracts a lot of top athletes and World Athletics is assisting them financially,” he said.

He said they had so far received money from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, which would be used for athletes’ flight tickets and accommodation.

Kolantsho, therefore, urged would-be sponsors to help organise a successful event.

He said Nijel Amos and Isaac Makwala would be competing on home soil, adding the latter would be bidding GIM farewell.

GIM 2022 is expected to attract 200 athletes, 70 technical officials and 50 volunteers. ENDS