12 May 2016

Fierce competition is expected at Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) national championships billed for the National Stadium next on May 21.

This year’s edition will not just an ordinary one given that several athletes would be keen to secure Olympic berths.

Only Nijel Amos of 800 metres, Baboloki Thebe, Isaac Makwala and Onkabetse Nkobolo of 400 metre and the 4x400m men relay team havequalified for Rio 2016.

Eyes would be on the likes of Karabo Sibanda, Karabo Mothibi, Boitumelo Masilo, Goitseone Seleka and Christine Botlogetswe.

BAA secretary general, Legojane Kebaitse, said their desire was to see more athletes qualifying in order to increase the number of athletes in Rio.

He said the national championships would be used as a qualifier for Rio as well to measure the readiness of those who had already qualified.

Furthermore, he said the championships would also be used as preparation for both Africa Senior Championships scheduled for Durban next month and the world junior champs pencilled for in Bydgoszcz, Poland from July 19 -24.

Legojane said preparation of the big events wereat an advanced stage adding that they were also waiting for other countries to confirm their participation.

“We are expecting other nations to come and compete. South Africa is yet to qualify for 4x400m men relay, therefore there is a high possibility for them to send their crème de la crème quartet to compete with our relay team, “ he said.

Quizzed if they had already solicited a sponsor for the nationals, he said they were in talks with some companies.

He further said Botswana National Sport Commission had set aside 10 per cent of their grand total towards national championships, which they could use to ‘make ends meet’. ENDS