25 Apr 2017

The country’s universities dominated the Botswana Tertiary Student Sports Association (BOTESSA) athletics after scooping 17 gold medals at the athletics championships held at the University of Botswana on Saturday.
The universities, which comprised of the University of Botswana, Limkokwing, Botswana International University of Science and Technology and Botho, were under bracket B. They dominated most of the races.

Position two was won by  bracket A with seven gold medals, and the bracket was made up of colleges of education and institutes of health sciences while position three went to bracket C which was made up of technical colleges with five gold medals.
The climax of the event was when Ditiro Sebele won double in the 100 and 200 metres. Sebele recorded 10:64 in the men’s 100 finals and continued with his good performance in the 200 metres with a record of 21:06.

Sebele, who was selected as the overall best performer, managed to break the 200m standard record of 21:20 (Federation of International University Sports FISU). He booked himself a ticket to compete at the coming FISU games.
In the 200metres, Sebele beat Rebeilwe Thwanyane of UB who finished in position two with 21:79 while position three went to Treasure Mosabata of Botswana Police Services with 21:81. Moses Gabokgethwe of GTC came fourth in 22:15.
Sebele said he was happy with performance and was now aiming to qualify for the World Championships to be held in London in August.

In the women’s category, Ontiretse Molapisi, who was the overall best performer, ruled the the 100 metres and scooped position one in 12:31. Thabo Moswere settled for position two with 12:94, Amantle Monwa clocked 13:17 to finish in position three.
In 200 metres, she clocked 24:63, Monwa recorded 26:86 to finish in position two while Ope Tau settled for position three in 28.37.
Molapisi said although she was hoping for a better time in 200 metres, she was happy with her performance. She added that her target was to make it to the World University Games.
“Hopefully I will improve with time, but my mission is to work very hard and ultimately qualify for the World University Games,” she said.

BOTESSA public relations officer, Duncan Segabo said he was happy with the level of competition as they managed to produce a qualifier to the FISU games.
Furthermore, he said all athletes who did well would have the opportunity to prove their mettle once again at the Gaborone international meeting on Saturday. ENDS