07 Dec 2016

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) fielded a formidable side which is capable of shaking Africa at the African Union Sport Council Region5 (AUSC Region5) competitions to be staged in Luanda from tomorrow (December 9) until December 19.

Some of the athletes who have travelled with the team are Botswana’s finest 400 metre ace runner Karabo Sibanda, 400m hurdler Omphemetse Poo, and 200m Xholani Talani, Galefele Moroko and Refilwe Murangi.

The team manager, Olebogeng Oitebetse said in an interview that their mission is to dominate the track, hence they have selected a very tried and tested pool of athletes.

“We have a total of 18 athletes with us, and remember in 2014 in Zimbabwe we won 19 medals, so our mission is to surpass that number even though we are 18, we also have strong relay teams,” she said.

She said preparation for the games went very well and the team was looking forward to the games, adding that all athletes were fit for the competition.

The 100 metre runner Mmopoloki Poowane said they have been training very well, preparing for the competition, adding that he competed at the last IAAF World U20 Championships, in Bydgoszcz, where he said he gained a lot of experience that would help him in Luanda.

Another athlete, Omphemetse Poo said Batswana should expect a gold medal from him, because they have prepared very well.

The 400 metre runner said he is free from injuries, and morale in camp is very high.

Karabo Sibanda, also said Batswana should expect the best from him, given that he is still fresh from the Olympics.

The ace runner admitted that it would have been a good thing if his training partner Baboloki Thebe was available because their combination is always deadly.

“I am going to miss him, we come from far together, but what can I do, I will have to soldier on and represent the country,” he said. Sibanda said his opponents should take him for granted at their own peril, because he is not in Luanda as a tourist, but to represent the country.

“There is a lot at stake because no athlete will want to let his or her country down,” he said.

Moroko also said her intention is to do her best in Luanda, adding that she has been training with top athletes like Oarabile Babolayi who has been motivating her.

“I want to improve my Personal Best, and remember World Championships are just around the corner, so I want to gauge my fitness for the next season which will be a busy one,“ she said. ENDS