09 Apr 2024

In their effort to avert the mushrooming of hosting of road running competitions, the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has come up with hosting guidelines.

The organisation’s vice president, Oabona Theetso said in an interview that they had realised that some organisations or individuals organised marathons, which were not sanctioned by the country’s athletics governing body.

Theetso said it was against this backdrop that BAA found it prudent to come up with a mitigation plan in the form of a guidelines or manual that would control events held in the country under the auspices of the BAA.

“It was disturbing that as the governing body, we will read in newspapers or social media that there was a marathon in a certain town or village without theBAA’s knowledge,” he said.

Theetso said what was also disturbing was the fact that athletes were charged a hefty registration fee, whereas others do not even follow procedures of hosting a marathon.

Furthermore, he said as athletics watchdogs in Botswana, they had to ensure that the right procedures were followed and athletes were protected. He said, as it was, every marathon would be licensed from the office, adding that those willing to host would have to apply and be given a date.

“Where possible, looking at the magnitude of the event, there is going to be a licensing fee. We are aware that there are a lot of marathons; people just make money and some do not even give back to the community,” he said

According to the hosting guidelines, the BAA shall do needs assessment first before an application to host is granted and the affiliated clubs shall consult first with their members for buy-in and support of the event.

The guidelines say the affiliated clubs should consult first with their members on behalf of competition and/or event organisers for buy-in and support if it is a joint event.

The competition and/or event organisers should then consult with the BAA for their intention to host, as well as consider period for sponsors to give them enough mileage.

There shall be a payment of P50 000 to get the application form/license and BAA logo before approaching sponsors.

The guidelines indicate that among many resources, the human factor is very critical to hosting.

“It is therefore paramount that BAA/competition and/or event organisers ought to have requisite manpower with required skills in all the relevant areas.”

“These include, but not limited to administrators, World Athletics referees, event managers and working hands for general issues,” he said. ENDS