11 Feb 2024

Six athletes, Collen Kebinatshipi, Tsaone Sebele, Kago Seshoka, Edwin Molelekwa, Lundi Pinaemang, and Kevin Lobatlamang have qualified for the African Games billed for Accra, Ghana next month.

The six punched the qualifying mark during the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) Track and Field Series Three meet held at the National Stadium on Saturday
Kebinatshipi clocked 20.52, seconded by Lobatlamang who stopped the clock in 21.05, followed by Pinaemang with 21.09 while Molelekwa clocked 21.13 in a fast men’s 200m category.

Sebele led the pack in the 200 women’s which booked her a slot to Ghana with a time of 23.79, while Seshoka qualified for 400 metres with a time of 46.53.

BAA vice president Oabona Theetsho said he was happy that out of the six who had qualified, Seshoka made an initial entry to the list consisting of the usual names that always qualified for major events. He said that was an indication that they were heading in the right direction in developing   athletes, evidenced by their ability to unveil a new name each season.

Theetso said the federation continued to be concerned by women’s performance in their events adding that as usual, Sebele was the only one who managed to qualify on Saturday.

“Sebele was at the Africa Senior Championships that were held in Mauritius and our desire is to see other women competing at major events. It shouldn’t be Sebele alone all the time,” he said.

He said they were also impressed by Jwaneng Athletics Club young athlete, Same Mhutsiwa who ran an impressive Personal Best times in the under 18’s 100 and 200m categories.

The youngster clocked 12.50 and 25.14 in 100 and 200 metres respectively, the times, which Theetsho described as promising.

He said they would hold yet another meet hosted by Sports View in Francistown next week to give more athlete opportunity to qualify for major events. “We have a busy schedule this season.

We have the African Games, 2024 Olympics, African Senior Championships, World Relays and World under 20 championships,” he said.

Theetso said BAA and its affiliates would continue to host events to prepare those who had qualified as well as to give opportunity to those who were yet to qualify for major events. ENDS