10 May 2016

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) held a track and field event on May 7 at the Francistown Sports Complex to nominate athletes who meet the recommended national time for the national finals to be held on May 21 in Gaborone.

According to BAA regional coordinator-south, Mompati Ngwako, the competitions prepare the best time performers from the regions for the competition that will see winners making up the national team.

He said the competition registered athletes from schools and clubs and he was impressed with the turn up of the athletes as it shows that they take sport seriously, encouraging those who did not register to come forward in the next competitions.

“This could help us to recruit the likes of our national stars like Nijel Amos as we register from the juniors to the seniors,” he added.

Furthermore, he said so far they have 18 registered clubs, which athletes can join and they are happy that some athletes are being registered from their outstanding performances while at junior/senior school, making it easier for the association to keep track of them.

The competitions were graced by other athletes from neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Team manager for Zimbabwe, Manuel Mpofu said they brought a team of 22 athletes to compete hence preparing them for the World Junior Championships to be held in June 2016 in Poland.

“Before they depart to Poland, they have to participate in the National Provinces competitions that will see each athlete representing their province, so this is a way of making them ready and improve their times,” he added.

Manuel noted his satisfaction with the team’s performance, saying though they are not doing well and the home athletes are giving them a hard time, it is good for them as they will be able to identify and improve their weaknesses.

Karabo Mothibi of Jwaneng Club, who is the 100 and 200 metres runner, said he was happy with his performance as he managed to end his race closer to the recommended time of 10:16s by 10:17s, saying that is a great achievement.

He said to him the BAA track and field competitions are a great opportunity for him as he is always working hard on improving his time and he will be participating in the Sports View Competitions organised by Glody Dube on the 13th May 2016 in Gaborone.

Mothibi said he represented Botswana in 2015 at Southern Senior Championships that were held at Mauritius and he got position four on both the 100 and 200 metre races and his relay team got a Gold medal for the 4 by100 metre race.

He said making it to the national team again this year will give him an opportunity to set the national record as he is working around the clock to qualify for the Rio Summer Olympics to be held in Brazil this year.

Mothibi added that through discipline, dedication, determination and sufficient rest, his mind would be well focused while on track therefore enhancing performance.

For his part, Leungo Scotch, a Maun Athletics Club athlete said he is proud of his achievements so far as he has managed to challenge his personal best record in 400 metre race. He added that his main aim is to break the national recommended time so that he joins the national team to participate at Rio Olympics Games to be held in Brazil later this year.

Scotch said he represented the nation in 2014 at the Junior Championships in South Africa and got position four in Nigeria on the Senior African Championships where his 4 by 400 metre relay team brought home the silver medal.

Furthermore, he said through his hard work and support from his parents and coaches, he is able to achieve what he had achieved so far, noting that when he is given a target by his coach he always makes sure that he tries his best. ENDS