01 Jun 2022

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has named 32 athletes who will represent Botswana at Confederation of African Athletics’ (CAA) 22nd African Senior Athletics Championships in Mauritius from June 8 to 12.

BAA vice president, Oabona Theetso, said in an interview that they were confident that the team would perform well.

“Our target is to bring at least eight medals from the competition, any colour as long as it is a medal, we will be happy as BAA,” he said.

Theetso said they did not want to put the athletes under any pressure given that most of them were debutants at the senior championships.

Although the team was assembled late, he pointed out that they had a committed and hungry team that would fight to bring results.

He said the team was selected based on performance, adding that they had more than 50 athletes who had hit the qualifying mark, but had to trim them using their times.

Theetso stated that some of the athletes would use the competition to qualify for the World Championships.

“Other members of the team are tertiary students and they would want to qualify for International University Sports Federation (FISU) and The Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU) games,” he said.

On other issues, Theetso said he was happy that they would be sending five athletes from field events.

“All athletes are from jumps, but in future we want to have javelin, shot-put, discus and hammer throw. Botswana has been good in jumps, you look at Gable Garenamotse, Kabelo Kgosiemang, they dominated during their time, so we need to go back where we belong,” he said.

Theetso said said he would be happy if at least one or two athletes qualifyied for the World Championships, as that alone would motivate other athletes and coaches.

Tsaone Sebele, Loungo Matlhaku and Oarabile Tshosa will represent the country in both 100 and 200 metres women.

In the men’s category, Botswana will pin its hope on Letsile Tebogo, who will be doubling the 100 and 200 metres, while Thuto Masasa and Tumo Lesere will be competing in the 100 metres only.

The 400 metres women is made up of Christine Botlogetswe, Lydia Jele and Tlhomphang Basele, while Oratile Nowe will be competing in the 800 metres.

The 400 metres men will feature tried and tested athletes in Anthony Pesela, Bayapo Ndori, Leungo Scotch, Zibani Ngozi, Ditiro Nzamani and Busang Kebinatshipi and in the 800 metres race there is Tshepiso Masalela.

In the 110 metres hurdles, Kemorena Tisang will represent the country, whole Victor Ntweng and Maitseo Keitumetse will compete in the 400 metres hurdles.

The 4 x100 metres relay women is made up of Winnie Sarefo, Boitshepo Kelapile and Tshepang Manyika.

In 4x400 metres, Motlatse Rante and Obakeng Kamberuka will also be joined by other athletes after they finished competing in the individual events.

The 4 x100 metres relay men has Calvin Omphile and Jayson Mandoze and they will be joined by other athletes after competing in their individual events.

In the field events, Thuto Mothomme and Tshwanelo Aabobe will compete in the high jump, while Thapelo Monaiwa and Norman Chibane will compete in the long jump, while Tlhalosang Tshireletso will double long and triple jump. ENDS