24 Aug 2023

As Team Botswana’s hunt for the next medal at the ongoing World Athletics Championships continues, attention now shifts to the 4x400m relay teams tomorrow.

The men’s team, which will line up for the heats at 730pm, had a major setback after one of its strongest members, Bayapo Ndori suffered an injury during an individual race.

However, all is not lost as some of the relay members, amongst them Baboloki Thebe, Collen Kebinatshipi, Leungo Scotch, Zibani Ngozi, and Laone Ditshetelo, will be available for selection.

The women’s team, which comprises Lydia Jele, Galefele Moroko, Tlhompang Basele, Obakeng Kamberuka, Golekane Chikani and Oratile Nowe, will be on the track for the heats at 755pm.

National team coach, Chilume Ntshwarang conceded that Ndori’s injury was a setback for the men’s team.

“But in a championship, you don’t just throw in the towel,” he said.

“We have other members of the team, and his team mates believe they can make it to the final,” he said.

Regarding the women’s team, he said they were also raring to go and looking forward to the competition.

Former athlete, Dr Tshepang Tshube said in an interview that the men’s relay would be challenging and quite complex.

He noted that all the three 400m runners, Ndori, Scotch and Kebinatshipi, did not make it to the final, which he said was cause for concern.

“The last time Botswana made the 400m final was in 2017.

Ndori is now out due to an injury. This is a challenge for the coach and the boys. First, failing to make the final presents a major setback going into the relay,” he said.

Dr Tshube opined that it was possible that by now the runners’ confidence could be dented, leading to low morale.

He said in some cases, some athletes may be overwhelmed by thoughts of giving up.

On the positive side, he observed that having not featured in the final was an opportunity for the athletes to rest for the relay. He said the coach and the team could use this as an advantage in going to the relay.

While he concedes that Ndori’s injury presents a major blow to the team, given that he is the strongest member of the relay team, Tshube said it was also an opportunity for one of the relay members to step up and deliver for Botswana.

“Tough times create an opportunity for one to take leadership. I think Ngozi or Scotch should take leadership as senior members of the team.

The coach must demonstrate leadership through technical prowess,’ he said.

Regarding the women’s team, Dr Tshube said they were the competition’s underdogs since two weeks before they travelled, they were not even certain if they would make it to Budapest, Hungary.He said it was therefore important that they take one round at a time and set shortterm goals.

Dr Tshube said the coach should harness Jele’s experience and get her to provide leadership. ENDS