11 Apr 2017

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has released names of athletes who will represent the country at the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2017 to be held at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in Nassau on April 22-23.

The 4x400m men’s relay is made up of five athletes who competed at the 2016 Rio 2016 Olympics being, Baboloki Thebe who, until recently, was holding the 400m World Lead with 44.89, Karabo Sibanda, Boitumelo Masilo, Isaac Makwala, Onkabetse Nkobolo and Pako Seribe.

The 4x400m women’s relay team, on the other hand is made up of Lydia Jele, Amantle Montsho, Christine Botlogetswe, Goitseone Seleka, Galefele Moroko and Loungo Matlhaku.

In the mixed relay, Botswana will be represented by Leeaname Maotoanong, Jele, Seribe and Montsho.

BAA vice president, Kenneth Kikwe said in an interview that the team reported for camp yesterday and would leave for Bahamas on April 17.

He was confident that the association had selected a formidable team that would represent the country well and ultimately qualify for the World Championships.

Kikwe stated that the team was selected based on their current performance.

Also, he said it would be the first time that Botswana fielded a mixed relay team.

Their intention, he said was to motivate and keep some athletes who did not make a cut in the 4x400m men’s relay in good shape.

“As for the 4x400m women’s relay team, we are still building and we want good results in the men’s team, given that they have been competing. Looking at their previous performance, as BAA we can safely say they will do well at Bahamas,” he said.

Kikwe said they did not include Nijel Amos in the relay team because he had not competed in any race yet.

Amos, he said was a strong athlete and they would have liked to have him in the team.

Further, he said they did not want to set a wrong precedence by selecting athletes based on their history.

He noted that their intention was to end USA dominance in the 4x400m men’s relay.

“If athletes and the technical team are well, we will shock the world. Our team is a very strong one that can upset USA at an given time,” he said. ENDS