04 Jun 2024

As the track and field events qualification closing period for the 2024 Olympics is fast approaching, the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) is organising another meet to give more athletes an opportunity to qualify. 

BAA vice president, Oabona Theetso, said in an interview that after hosting their National Championships where athletes did not punch the Olympic ticket, they found it necessary  to host the another series to give the athletes opportunity to qualify for the Olympics and the World Athletics Under 20 Championships. 

“For the 2024 African Athletics Senior Championship, the qualification period ended on May 31. 

Even if one can run a better time for the Africa Senior Championship and she or he is not in the submitted list, the door is already closed,” he said. Theetso said this was an invitational event, adding that athletes were selected for the event based on their performance. 

“We could not invite all of them because to prepare for the event is expensive for both the federation and the coaches,” he added. 

Theetso said the association had therefore only invited the top 16, and they were hoping that the meet would make an impact. 

He said they were expecting a good competition, given that all the athletes knew the importance of the meet. 

He said each category would have two heats, adding that the meet should not be missed given that all the athletes would be able to compete apart from the ones who have already qualified and those who could not compete for various reason. 

The events include, 100m, 110m hurdles, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m track and field events. 

No international athletes have been invited to compete in the meet. ENDS