06 Jul 2016

Botswana national team coach, Mogomotsi Otsetswe is upbeat that Team Botswana, which is scheduled to compete at the IAAF World U-20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, on July 19-24 will bring medals home.

Otsetswe said in an interview that preparations for the big world showpiece are at an advanced stage, adding that he already knows all the athletes who would be pitted against his side.

Futhermore, he said he was aware that the nation expects a lot from the team, given that Baboloki Thebe and Karabo Sibanda, who are part of the team, did well at the 20th CAA African Senior Championship, while some athletes also impressed at the 2016 Southern Junior Championships.

“What I can tell you is that Team Botswana is not going to Bydgoszcz to participate, but we are going there to compete; mind you according to our times our rankings are even better compared to other juniors,” he said.

Otsetswe further said as much as they want medals, they will also concentrate on clocking impressive times at the competition, something which he said; with good training, they can achieve given that the team is currently injury free.

“If you look at Baboloki and Karabo in the junior category, their rankings are very good, if need be, our intention is to challenge the under 20 record set by United States athlete, Steve Lewis.

Remember he clocked 43.87 at the 1988 Olympic Games,” he said. The coach further said Botswana National Olympic Committee has been helpful to them, saying they have given them all the support and resources to prepare for all the major competitions.

Baboloki said his intention is to improve his time at the IAAF World U-20 Championships. “I am not going to Bydgoszcz just to fill the lane, I am going there to compete, and my intention is to clock a very good time and ultimately win a medal for the country,” he said.

Baboloki further said he is confident that he will begin where he left at the African Senior Championship, saying the coach is currently working on his weakness at training. “I am happy I managed to clock a good time in Durban, my intention there was to gauge my fitness and check my endurance, I must say I am in a very good shape, and I guess God will guide me during the race,” he said.

For his part, Karabo said they have prepared well and that their focus is the World U-20 Championships, saying they once competed in the World Junior Championship, but did not perform well.

“This is our time, we want to show the world that Botswana has a formidable side,” he said. He said he enjoys running in the final with Thebe because he has speed and they push each other during the race.

In 2004, Obakeng Ngwigwa won bronze medal at World Junior Championships after clocking his personal best and national junior record of 45.97, and in 2012 Nijel Amos won a gold medal at World Junior Championships in Barcelona clocking 1:43.79.

Team Botswana is made up of Baboloki, Xholani Talane in the 200 metres, in 400 metres there is Baboloki, Karabo Sibanda and Mompoloki Nkape, while Omphemetse Poo will compete in the 400 metre hurdles.

In 800 metres Botswana will be represented by Gorata Gabankitse, while Aobakwe Malau will compete in the 100 metres, and the only woman Galefele Moroko will take the 800 metres.

The 4x400 metres men’s relay team is made up of Baboloki, Karabo, Gorata Gabankitse, Thabiso Sekgopi and Omphemetse. While the 1x 400 metres men’s relay team is made of Aobakwe, Omphemetse, Thabiso Sekgopi, Xholani and Mompoloki Powane. ENDS