18 Feb 2025

Local athletes are expected to contest with international ones from at least seven other countries during the 2025 edition of Lefika International Relays which will be held at the National Stadium on March 29.

The event will be made up of 4x400m men and women, 4x200m men and women, 4x800m men and women, mixed relays as well as the hurdles.

Speaking during official launch of the event yesterday, Gaborone City Council mayor Oarabile Motlaleng, who is also the event mayor pointed that countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, eSwatini, Lesotho, and Kenya had expressed interest to attend provided they could secure accomodation.

He therefore urged businesses to partner with Lefika to ensure a successful event, pointing that sport such as athletics was essential element of life. He said he was committed to ensuring that after the Lefika relays, they would witness the rise of new athletic stars.

“We need more athletes like Tebogo Letsile, Nijel Amos, and Amantle Montsho. I am proud to know that Letsile is a product of Lefika and I firmly believe that if Lefika continues to mentor and produce athletes of his caliber, Botswana will continue to see its finest stars emerge. I will also make sure my fellow councillors encourage spectators from their respective areas to attend the event, and I will personally collaborate with primary schools in Gaborone to inspire students to participate and support the championship,” he said.

He asked hotels and accommodation providers to consider sponsoring a sport in country.

"We need sponsors who can help us provide Botswana’s athletes with the opportunity to showcase their talents, discover their potential, and raise our country’s flag high on the global stage,” he said.

The relays are used as the world qualifying, providing local, regional, and continental athletes with the opportunity to qualify for prestigious global competitions such as the World Athletics Championships.

The Local Organising Committee chairperson Ookeditse Malesu said it was important to host the event on the African soil because it would financially cushion most associations in Africa to have their athletes qualify for international competitions. ENDS