03 Mar 2024

Botswana will send 54 athletes to compete at the 13^th edition of the African Games that will be held in Accra, Ghana from March 8-23.

Team Botswan general manager Obakeng Ngwigwa said in an interview that the teams reported for camp last Sunday. 

He said nine sporting codes would be competing being; athletics, basketball 3x3, boxing, beach volleyball, swimming, weightlifting, tennis, judo and taekwondo.

He said athletics had 23 athletes, boxing and basketball 3x3 had six each, beach volleyball, taekwondo, tennis and swimming had four each, judo had two and weightlifting had one.

In the last edition, Botswana won 13 medals; five gold, five silver and three bronze.

This time around, he said they had set a target of  eight medals, which were not colour coded.

Currently, he said boxing team was the only code that went on a training camp in Zambia, where they featured in some tournament, while others had been training locally.

“Basically, Team Botswana is prepared and to date we do not have injuries and almost everyone is on camp apart from athletes who are based outside the country.

They will join the rest of the team in Ghana,” he said. Ngwigwa said the games were important to Botswana as they wanted to use them as a precursor for the Paris Olympic Games, which was their main focus.

“We selected the sporting codes that we know were in the Olympic Games. Remember, some of the codes such as athletics, swimming and tennis athletes will stand a chance to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics at these games,” he said.

He said those who had already qualified for the Olympics, would use the games to gauge their readiness to participate the Olympic Games.

As part of their preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, he said they took a deliberate decision to select younger athletes for the African Games. “This year’s edition means a lot to us, we have changed the way we do things. We do not want athletes to prepare for 2028 Olympics in 2027.We are going to start preparations in earnest,” he said.

On doping issues, Ngwigwa said all the nine sporting codes had been competing locally and anti-doping officers had been attending the events teaching athletes about the implications of doping and conducting random testing as well.

Meanwhile, teams will leave for Ghana in different batches. The first group, which comprises of beach volleyball, judo and swimming departs tomorrow.

Boxing team will leave Zambia for Ghana on Sunday, while tennis will leave on March 11. Athletics will leave on March 14. 

Team athletics include, Thapelo Monaiwa (100m, long jump), Thuto Masasa (100m, 200m), Calvin Omphile (100m) Kevin Lobatlamang (200m), Jayson Mandoze (100m/200m), Victor Ntweng, Kemorena Tisang 400m Hurdles, Tshwanelo Aabobe (high jump), Tumo Nkape (800m), Omphile Seribe, Ernest Kumevu, Boitumelo Masilo, Bayapo Ndori, Collen Kebinatshipi and Leungo Scotch 400m/4x400m, Tsaone Sebele and Nancy Budzani (100m), Lydia Jele, Golekanye Chikane, Motlatsi Rante, Obakeng Kamberuka, Tlhomphang Basele (400m, 4x400m) and Oratile Nowe (800m, 4x400m).

Basketball 3x3 team is made up of Botsile Wilson, Theo Dipholo, Dingane Motswadira, Karabo Rabothaako, Yaone Badisang and Motheo Semausu.

Boxing team has Rajab Mahommed, George Molwantwa, Kobamelo Molatlhegi, Mmoloki Sekwape, Phekie Bele and Keamogetse Kenosi.

Beach volleyball team has Jack Sekao, George Chiswaniso, Lenamile Wright and Jestina Moyo and Judo has Tumiso Phuthego and Botho Babutsi.

In swimming, Andile Bekker, Adrian Robinson, Maxine Egner and Kyra Harry have made it to the Ghana-bound team while Tennis team has Denzel Seetso, Marks Nawa, Chelsea Chakanyuka and Kelebogile Monnayoo. Taekwondo team has  Kitso Kula, Ernest Samotshozo, Karabo Kula and Shadi Mokopotsa Weightlifting has Alphius Kagiso.  Ends