28 Jun 2016

The sterling performance by Team Botswana at the just ended 20th Confederation of African Athletics Senior Championships has made a lasting impression. 

The team bagged three gold medals courtesy of Nijel Amos, Baboloki Thebe and 4x 400 men’s relay team and a silver medal won by Karabo Sibanda as well as a bronze medal won by long jumper Ruri Rammokolodi.

Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho who was in Durban to monitor the athletes’ performance, said he was impressed by their performance.

He described the medals that were won as a bonus, saying for BNOC, their focus during the championships had been on the need for the athletes to improve their times. 

Over the last couple of weeks, he said they were worried about Amos’ performance, but the1.45.14 time he clocked, which was also his best in quite a number of months, allayed their worries.

He said BNOC was now confident that Amos would reach  his peak form at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, while Thebe could also consolidate his command of the 400m race.

Serufho said Thebe’s good performance would give them a wider choice and strengthen their chances of performing well in the race as well as the men’s 4 x 400m relay.

“Most of our Rio bound athletes ran good times and remain in good shape for the games. We are glad to note that athletes like Boitumelo Masilo were almost improving with every race and we are convinced that they should make the qualification times before the July 11 deadline,”  he said.

He however said performances from the championships would allow them to finalise their team within the next few weeks. Ends