23 Apr 2017

Botswana relay teams have booked themselves a slot in the lucrative 2017 World Championships to be held in London in August.
That was after the team proceeded to the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2017 finals early Sunday morning. The relay finals were to be held early this morning  and team coach, Mogomotsi Otsetswe is hopeful the teams will bring medals home.
The men’s 4x400 metres team finished in position one in heat three with 3:03.09, followed by Jamaica with 3:03.52, position three went to Brazil with 3:05.05, on position four was Kenya after clocking 3:05.93, while Czech Republic settled for position five with 3:07.58.
During the race, it was clear that the quartet were in an uncompromising mood with Isaac Makwala leading the team, before handing the baton to Karabo Sibanda.
Sibanda did not disappoint and maintained the lead until he handed over the baton to Onkabetse Nkobolo who also ensured he led the pack.
After receiving the baton, Baboloki Thebe, although he was under pressure from Jamaican athletes, also managed to mantain the lead and anchored Botswana to victory.
Thebe said in an interview after the race that he knew it was not going to be easy for them because all countries knew their strength.
Nevertheeless, he was happy that they managed to qualify for the World Championship via qualification for the relay finals.
“We will see how it ends at the final, but so far we are motivated, and thanks to my team-mates for putting a very brave fight against Jamaica who were breathing on our neck throughout the entire race. I was watching both the legs and could see Jamaicans were threatening us, but the team fought until the end,” he said.
Onkabetse Nkobolo said they enjoyed the race and were happy that they qualified for the finals.
“Mission accomplished and now we will fight in the finals, and God willing, we will bring the medal home, that is our desire,” Nkobolo said.
The women 4x400m finished third in 3:31.61 after Poland in position one with 3:29.42 and Jamaica second in 3:29.93 respectively.
On the starting point was Christene Botlogetswe who handed the baton over to Lydia Jele in a dangerous position and it was the latter who redeemed Botswana’s pride when she handed the baton to Galefele Moroko in position three and Moroko maintained the position until she handed over to Amantle Montsho who also crossed the fnish line in position three.
In an interview, Otsetswe said he was impressed by the teams’ performance because they represented the country with gusto in the event ensuring that they reached the finals.
“Being in the finals means that we have made it to London with both relays. Now we are going to run the final motivated by the World Championship qualifications. We are not just going to relax in the finals, but give our opponents a run for their money,” he said.
On Jamaica, who were threatening the men’s relay during the race, he said the country had a very strong team this year compared to the previous year.
“I checked their times in the IAAF ranking and five of them are the in top 20. I had to use those athletes who are good in exchanging batons plus quick reaction and acceleration to take them head on because with the material that they have, you can’t chase them. O tshwanetse go ba thukuthetsa from the start to the finish line. And the trick worked for us as our main focus was to reach the final,” he said. BOPA