15 Feb 2017

Fresh from her two year ban, Botswana 400 metre runner, Amantle Montsho is expected to take Lobatse Sports Complex by storm in her first race in a Botswana Athletics Association(BAA) track and field event on Saturday.
  The 2011 world champion started intensive training this year, and she is expected to pick from where she left before she was banned in the world of athletics.
However on Saturday she will face a fierce battle in the 400 metres from the likes of Lydia Jele, Christine Botlogetswe, Galefele Moroko and hurdler Oarabile Babolai who will share the same track with Montsho on the day.
No doubt, this time all eyes will be on the 400 metre women event as all the athletes will be motivated by the return of Montsho.
 Should all of them start fast from the blocks and improve their acceleration out of the blocks, there is no doubt spectators will be thrilled after the race.
Again looking at the magnitude of the race and the crème de la crème in the starting list, surely one or two athletes should be in a good position to hit the 2017 London World Championships 45.50 qualifying mark, whereas others might record their new Personal Best.
However, Coach Mogomotsi Otsetswe said in an interview that if Montsho qualifies in her first race it would be a bonus for her.
He said his mission was to introduce her gradually in the track, given that for the past two years, she has not been active, and therefore it was very imperative for her to start her races locally.
Otsetswe further said during the race he will be monitoring her closely so as to fully identify her strength and weakness in the competition, as that would give him an opportunity to rectify the flaws before she can compete in major events.
“Her case is peculiar. Remember she hasn’t been active so I have to look at her physical, psychological and confidence aspect during the competition,” he said. ENDS