31 May 2022

Nothing major stands in the way of the Gaborone International Meet (GIM) upgrading from bronze to gold.

Robert Wagner of World Athletics said this when briefing the media on his take on the standard of Botswana’s facilities in relation to hosting a world-class track and field event, after completing his three-day World Athletics Continental Tour in the country, on Saturday.

He said after engaging in a thorough assessment of the facilities, he was confident that GIM had done a lot to attain gold status and host track and field events, where athletes proved their mettle.

He said the assessment tour covered, among others; availability of track and field infrastructure, which include indoor and outdoor facilities, anti-doping office, media facilities, hotels and meetings with relevant stakeholders.

Wagner said the World Athletics body would be elated for track and field events to be hosted across the globe, including Botswana.

To date, he said Kenya was the only country in Africa with a track and field athletes’ event, holding the gold status, therefore, GIM would be the second in the continent, if successful.

“Your reputation in conducting the competitions is good, the country has a clean and welcoming environment, security and safety of athletes are not questionable and the place is able to host international sports meet,” he said.

He, however, indicated that a few areas such as the establishment of a warm-up track for athletes and improving other facilities such as indoor equipment needed attention.

He said GIM was in a convincing position and therefore he would accordingly submit its profile, coupled with what he had observed over the three-day tour to the World Athletics body to determine whether it qualified for the gold status or not.

“You almost have everything including stadia, infrastructure, hotels that will qualify GIM to be awarded the gold status.

There is no need to downgrade yourselves, you are in a position to host a gold event,” said Wagner, adding that a gold meet was an incredible platform and would do a lot for local athletes.

As part of his three-day assessment tour, Wagner also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Youth Sports, Gender and Culture Development, which he said confirmed government commitment to sports development.

“Your government is committed to providing the necessary support towards meeting the requirements of upgrading GIM to gold status,” he said.

Further, Wagner said he had established, through interaction with various stakeholders, that the country’s athletes were held in high regard, as was the case in Jamaica.

“I have gathered from the people and other documents that I came across that everyone is behind the growth of athletes.

I will do everything in my power to help you grow,” he promised.

He said with the support of media infrastructure available at Btv, the country had all it took to reach out to the world, adding that upon attaining gold status, GIM would be broadcast live in more than 50 countries across the world, through the support of Btv. 

Meanwhile, GIM organiser, Glody Dube said through exposure under Botswana Athletics Association (BAA), the GIM team had learnt a lot in terms of organising events of international standard.

“We are currently on bronze, we are focused in the development of track and field athletes and hopeful of gaining gold status,” he said.

Dube said under its current status, GIM was limited in terms of attracting world class athletes and rewarding athletes, as only those that got recognisable positions were rewarded.

He, therefore, said upgrading to gold would see all participating athletes rewarded as well as being awarded points for individual rankings.

Dube said the meet would  also attract well known international athletes, thereby giving the locals a platform to prove their mettle and prepare for the world stage.

He said his team had done enough to support the anticipated growth with the support of BAA, adding that the benefits of upgrading were high as it would not only benefit track and field athletes, but all other stakeholders, who would get an opportunity to grow. 

For his part, Botswana National Sports Commission CEO, Tuelo Serufho said GIM had excelled over the years and expressed hope for it to upgrade.

 Serufho said the commission’s  vision was to use sport to create employment and contribute to growing the economy as well as  derive national pride from it.

“I am eager to see the upgrade done as early as possible.

As concerned stakeholders we will do everything to fulfill the required conditions and host a world class track and field activity,” said Serufho.

The BAA president, Paphane Botlhale was equally convinced that the country, through BAA, has done enough to attain world status. Paphane said where they fell short, they would appeal to government for support, stressing that BAA was determined to grow athletics.  ENDS