19 Mar 2024

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) president Moses Bantsi is optimistic about the country increasing the medals despite a slow start at the on-going African Games at Accra, Ghana.

As of Tuesday, Botswana had only won five bronze medals against the country’s targeted 10 medals.

The two includes two medals from karate, another two from swimming and one from beach volleyball team.

“Athletics never disappoint Batswana and I am confident that we will also contribute our part in ensuring that we increase the medal tally,” he said.

Furthermore, he said Botswana had a very strong team in relays and other individual athletes whom he said were brave enough to die for the country.

“The most important thing for us, is for the athletes to get exposure and qualify for higher competitions such as Africa Senior Championships that is scheduled for Cameroon in June as well as to better their times so that they can qualify for Olympics Games,” he said.

Bantsi said it was important for them to better their times, given that some might qualify by ranking not by qualifying standard.

He said African Games competition would also add some points, adding that therefore he was confident that all the athletes who would be competing would do their best, considering that a lot was at stake.

“But then again, if we can qualify to the World relays in the mixed and the 4x400m relays, I will be much happier and my expectation is that we will do our best considering the team that we have fielded,” he said.

In the last Games held in Morocco in 2019, athletics won three gold medals courtesy of Galefele Moroko, Leungo Scotch and the 4x400m men’s relay and a silver, which was won by 4x400m women’s relay. Ends