11 Aug 2014

Botswana Athletics Association public relations officer says he is confident that Botswana athletes will bring medals from the 19th Africa senior championships in Marrakech, Morocco.

The competition started on Sunday (August 10) and will end on August 14. Expectations were that athletes will bring medals home.

Ipolokeng Ramatshaba told BOPA that BAA was poised that the athletes would redeem their pride after not doing well at the just ended Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

He said they were targeting five medals, “it is possible to grab five medals at the games. We are departing with a very solid team, crème de la crème to the games therefore, there is no doubt that we will conquer Africa.”

In the men’s team, Botswana will be presented by the current Commonwealth 800 metres men’s champion, Nijel Amos, while Pako Seribe and Isaac Makwala will compete in the 400 metres, and Yatea Kambepera will compete in the 100 metres.

The 4x400metres relay team comprises of Amos,Seribe, Makwala, Sakarea Kamberuka, Leaname Maotoanong, and Onkabetse Nkobolo.

In the high jump, Botswana will be represented by Gobe Takubana and Kabelo Kgosiemang. As for long jump, all eyes will be on Ruri Rammokolodi, and Larona Keosimile, and Stephanus Beukes is listed in the javelin.

In the women’s team, Goitseone Seleka and Lydia Mashila will compete in the 400 metres, and Mashila will run in the 200 metres.
The women’s 4x400metres relay team is made of Goitseone Seleka, Lydia Mashila, Leungo Matlhaku, Christine Botlogetswe and Tsaone Sebele.

Nijel Amos told BOPA that, it would be his first time competing in the individual race after competing in the relay category in the 2012 Africa senior championships.

“I am so am happy to be here, I just want to have fun, and I take pleasure in being part of the athletes here “he said. He said the Commonwealth games are now “water under the bridge” because his focus is now on the new competition.

He added that he would have to seat down with his coach and talk about the competition. “My coach and I have strategies, we have a way of talking and taking the competition as it comes” he said.

Amos said he had prepared well for the Africa senior championships and that he knew about the competition. “Preparations have long started in November. This championship is part of the circuit we have in our calendar, so it’s all systems go for me” he said. 

The 400 metres Africa senior defending champion, Isaac Makwala said he was ready for the competition. He has since shifted his focus to the championship after getting knocked out of the Commonwealth semifinals and has been training since then.

The current African record holder said he was aware that all eyes would be on him because he’s the defending champion and the current Africa record holder.

Makwala obliterated his 400metres Personal Best (PB) with 44.01, in a meet that was held in La Chaux-de-Fonds in July.

He pleaded with Batswana to continue supporting them through thick and thin. “They should know that in competitions you win and lose some, but I promise them that I will do my best to defend my title “he said.

The team left on Thursday August 7 and the coaches are Mogomotsi Osetse, Isaac Mbisi and Gable Garenamotse. The team Manager is Ipolokeng Ramatshaba who will be assisted by Olebogeng Oitebetse. Ends