20 Jan 2025

The local athletics scene on Saturday saw two cross-country events take place, both of which served as qualifiers to the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) National Cross Country Final to be held in Serowe next weekend.

Lefika Athletics Club based in Kopong hosted the Lefika Cross Country competition at Macheke drift in Kopong whilst the Orapa Athletics Club held its own epic event at Mokokong grounds in Letlhakane.

The Lefika cross country competition represented the southern stream whilst its Orapa counterpart hosted the northern side and the duo will battle it out in Serowe on January 25. The marathons were set in three categories, being youth, junior and senior.

The youth category was further categorised into two with boys battling it out for the 6km honours and their female counterparts competing in the 4km sub-category.The junior men and women tussled to emerge victorious in 8km and 6km respectively while the seniors, both male and female, hit the track for their 10km race category. 

Olefile Keoagile of UB Athletics Club clinched top spot in the senior men category, clocking in the chronometer a record of 32:27.6. He was followed in second spot by his teammate Thapelo Galeboe who recorded 32:57.25 whereas the third spot went to Sesebo Matlapeng of Lefika Athletics Club at 33.07.22.

In the senior women category, the veteran marathon runner Maitumelo Keoagile of BDF Athletics Club led the pack, clocking 39:27.16 whilst Kefilwe Galeitsewe of Lion’s Den Athletics Club finished in second place, recording 41:14.95. Boikhutso Bakha of BDF Athletics Club came in third with her clock ticking 41:28.64.

Most athletes said the lack of international exposure was hindering them from benchmarking from global stars on strategies that could help them perform better and increase their records.

When quizzed about their efforts to feature athletes in international cross countries’ schedules, BAA blamed the state of affairs on lack of funds. South Central chairperson Tebatso Omphitlhetse said BAA and its affiliates were faced with a lack of funds or sponsors, a scenario that deterred local athletes from participating beyond borders. Omphitlhetse however hailed athletics clubs for helping to unearth talent, especially at a time when the future of the school sport remains at stake.

Thari Mooketsi, founder of Lefika Athletics Club, said the marathons were experiencing a stunning growth looking at the ever-increasing number of participants annually. 

For the northern version of the marathons, Lopang Oontse of Mmadinare Athletics Club maintained a lead from the starting point to arrive first in the senior men category at the Letlhakane Cross Country North competition. He recorded 34:37 seconded by Othusitse Gabolelwe of Francistown Athletics Club who clocked 35:11. Another Mmadinare Athletics Club runner, Wilson Othusitse came in third, recording a time of 36:37.

According to Orapa Athlet0ics Club technical official Gaobatshabe Keitatole, some sections of the route were muddy and soggy due to the recent rains, adding however that it was not an abnormal phenomenon as obstacles were part and parcel of marathons. Keitatole’s main worry was the lower participation of women in the race, the reasons for which were unknown.

Despite the good turn-out of athletes at this year’s event, he said in terms of publicity, they had done little to raise awareness of the event. He said most people became aware of the event through his interview with Radio Botswana on Friday, which resulted in those far from the marathon’s venue failing to not make it to the event.

“We will resolve such a loophole in our marketing department for future events,” said Keitatole.  ENDS