28 Jan 2025

Botswana’s marathons and long-distance races have a great future given the upcoming youth’s sterling performance. 

This was said in an interview following Botswana Athletics Association National Cross Country final in Serowe on Sunday by the association’s North-Central regional chairperson Mpho Bagwasi.

He said marathons and long distance running were steadily taking the limelight in Botswana. 

Bagwasi said the cross-country final was a success; started on time with pleasing attendance. 

Further, he said all the expected athletics clubs from across the country attended the event and all expected elite athletes participated in the event.

He said about 100 athletes participated at the event categorised into three; youths, juniors and seniors. 

The event accorded athletes an opportunity to prepare for World Senior Championships, Region V meet, African Junior Championships and Golden Continental Tour.

Meanwhile, Lopang Oontse of Mmadinare Athletics Club was crowned national champion in the 10km of the men’s senior category after clocking 30:40:14. 

Olefile Kooagile of University of Botswana Athletics Club scooped position two clocking 30:54:05 while Sesebo Matlapeng of Lefika Athletics Club settled for the third position clocking 31:08:32.

For women in the 10 km senior category, Maitumelo Gotswakgosi of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Athletics Club scooped position one clocking 37:14:58.

She was followed by Olebogeng Segolame in position two of Mmadinare Athletics Club at 38:51:50 while the third position went to Boikhutso Bakha of BDF athletics club at 39:64:19.

In the 8km men junior category, Onkabetse Kotosi of Jwaneng athletics club emerged the winner clocking 26:57:19 while position two went to Lebogang Mogagu of Mmadinare athletics club who clocked 27:10:02. Lebogang Samuel of team Selebi-Phikwe athletics club settled for the third position at 27:26:41.

Tebo Mbe of Selebi-Phikwe athletics club won the 6km under 20 girls clocking 25:05:4 while her teammate Lerato Mokima clocked 26:47:17 for position two. 

Under 18 boys in the 6km category, Bakang Mponang of BDF got position one clocking 21:45:94 while Setso Malatsi of Selebi-Phikwe athletics club got position two clocking 22:04:33. 

Third position went to Kagiso Galebone of Orapa Athletics Club for clocking 22:10:45.

In the 4km female race, Lone Malema of BDF clocked 17:51 to scoop position one while Michelle Setlela of Selebi-Phikwe athletics got position two clocking 18:06 and her teammate Wame Kgosietsile clocked 18:15 to get position three.

William Mokwena, who mentors Lopang was optimistic that his boy would do wonders in the upcoming Continental Cross country event pencilled for Gaborone next month. 

He expressed delight that Lopang emerged national champion in the 10 kilometre senior category for male. 

Mokwena said it was always his plan to win this year’s competition and the dream turned into a reality; a sign of more good things to come.

Lopang said the race motivated him a lot for upcoming Gaborone meet slated. 

He said he will do his best to leave an impressive mark in the competition, given that Batswana were banking on him for a glittering performance. ENDS