04 Jul 2022

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) will send a nine-member team to the World Athletics Championships Eugene, Oregon, United States July 15–24.

The all-male team will participate in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 4x4 relay and long jump. It will be Botswana’s first to feature in the meet’s 100 metres dash and long jump courtesy of Letsile Tebogo and Thalosang Tshireletso respectively.

BAA vice president, Oabona Theetso, said they were optimistic that Botswana would salvage a medal at the championships.

He said they were optimistic about the team ending Botswana’s medal drought at the competition, given that Amantle Montsho, won a gold inDaegu in 2011 and a silver in Moscow in 2013.

Theetso said the team entailed capable athletes who qualified with an A-Standard, an indication that they did not hit the qualifying mark by fluke.

The vice president said having a 100m runner and a jumper was a sign of growth given that Botswana had been known only in the 400 and 800 metres events.

However Theetso lamented female athletes’ failure to qualify for this year’s edition, adding they would continue to encourage more women to participate in athletics as that would give them a pool of women.

Anthony Pesela and Isaac Makwala will compete in the 400 metres. They will join Bayapo Ndori, Leungo Scotch, Zibane Ngozi and Maitseo Keitumetse in the 4x400m relay.

Makwala will also compete in the 200 metres, while Nijel Amos will compete in the 800 metres.

Theetso said they encouraged athletes to continue competing so that they could clock better times, as that might earn them a spot in the relay team.

“We have not yet closed for relay, should an athlete clock a better time they are likely to be included. Though the availability of the visa, in Oregon could be another issue of consideration, we nonetheless urge all athlete to continue competing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) has also announced names of athletes that will represent Botswana at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Tlhomphang Basele, Christine Botlogetswe and  Lydia Jele will compete in the 400 metres (women) and will later be joined by Motlatsi Ranthe to compete in the women’s 4 x400 relay team.

Tsaone Sebele and Oarabile Tshosa will be doing 100 metres, while Botswana will be pinning its hope on Nijel Amos and Boitumelo Masilo in 800m.

Ndori, Pesela, and Makwala will compete in 400 metres men while Keitumetse Maitseo, Ngozi and Scotch will complete the relay team (men).

Victor Ntweng will be Botswana’s only representative in the hurdles, while Thapelo Monaiwa will compete in the long jump. Thalosang Tshireletso will compte in the long and triple

Boxing will send Keamogetse Kenosi, Aratwa Kasemang, Lethabo Modukanele, George Molwantwa and Rajab Mohammed, Matlhogonolo Botlhole will do Under 23 Road Individual while Gontse Molefhe will compete in the Elite, Road Mountain Biking.

Tirelo Lekoko and Lauryn Pulamoeng will be competing in Judo, while bowlers Marea Modutlwa, Tshenolo Moshokgo, Boikhutso Mooketsi  and Lesego Motladiile will compete in the fours and triples lawn bowls.

Leungo Katse and Angel Otshabeng will compete in the squash singles

Swimmers Adrian Robinson will compete in the 50m breaststroke,100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle while Maxine Egner will compete in 50m Freestyle,100m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle. ENDS