17 Apr 2023

Some athletes have failed to honour the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) Series 5 Meet over the weekend in Francistown due to financial constraints.

Despite registering 543 athletes, about 420 participated from the 25 clubs and six schools that registered for the weekend competition.

BAA Sports Development Officer Larona Koosimile said they intended to use the meet as preparatory journey for the coming competitions such as  the national championships in mid-May, the Grand Prix billed for April 29 and the World Championships scheduled for July in China as well as preparing under18 and under 20 who would  compete in Zambia this week

He said most of the athletes were staying in Gaborone and travelling to Francistown remained a challenge as the athletes were expected to pay for their bus fare.
“The race was also important for ,” he said.

Some clubs did not participate on track events as they were focusing on road events.
The other challenge, he said, was the weather as it was windy and cold saying it affected some athletse performance

He applauded those who made it to  the meet especially senior runners because it motivated and inspired young athletes.
One of the runners, Botswana Defence Force Club’s Uyapo Shadreck  800m senior men said he participated to prepare himself for the 1 500m race during the Grand Pix.

“Prior to the competition, I had injuries which affected my training as I would have wanted. Although I managed to win  today's  race, I competed with those injuries,” said the 26 year old.
He said his coach Godiraone Ntlhompe assisted him and would take him through to Botswana National Championships in May.
BOPA