16 Feb 2025

The tartan track at the National Stadium in Gaborone is currently undergoing refurbishment by a local company, BWX Links.

Laid over 10 years ago, the track had for a few years now been operating beyond its suggested lifespan.

This continued use of the track until December 2024 was made possible by a major refurbishment in 2018 and another minor one in 2023, both of which facilitated that World Athletics could extend the certification for the track by periods between a couple of months to a fewyears.

According to the Botswana National Sport Commission, the organisation that manages the National Stadium on behalf of the government of Botswana, the certification of the National Stadium track expired in December 2024, and that is the time the facility was handed over to BWX Links to commence the refurbishment.

It is expected that the refurbishment exercise would be completed by end of March as the stadium is expected to host some national and international events, including the Botswana Defence Force Day.

As Botswana has put in a bid for the World Athletics Relay in 2026 and the National Stadium is earmarked to host that event, it is important that the facility is ready as early as possible to give the country a complete advantage.

The Botswana Athletics Association vice president, Oabona Theetso, emphasised the need for the facility to be completed soon, stating that besides international competitions, it plays an integral part in the association’s national series events and national championships.

 He said they are expecting a delegation from World Athletics later this month to inspect the country’s readiness to host next year’s World Relays. ENDS