12 May 2017

For a very long time Botswana has found it difficult to produce sprinters in athletics.

In Jamaica they have Usain Bolt, Canada they are now shinning with Andre De Grasse in South Africa they have Akani Simbine all this names are house hold names in sprinting events.

Botswana is well known to be a house hold in 400 metres event, the likes of Amantle Montsho, Isaac Makwala, Baboloki Thebe and Karabo have proved that at the international arena.

Now the question is, is the country doing enough to develop and nurture 100 and 200 metres runners.

Recently in Francistown during the Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association (BOPSSA) competition a ray of hope was seen when two youngsters from Mophane Primary School ruled the track.

Atlang Moloko and his partner Thuso Masuku have undoubtedly gave Batswana an indication that catching them young is a way to go.

Moloko won gold medal in the 100 bronze in 200 m and their 4x 100 metres relay won a gold medal, whereas Masuku won silver in the 100 silver in the 200m and gold in the relay team.

Moloko who is doing standard four said in an interview that he was aware that Botswana was strong in 400 metres but his ambition was to make a mark in the sprint and quash the notion and misconception that the country was doing badly in sprints.

He said when his class mate choose other sporting codes like football, he decided to take athletics because he strongly believed that he could exploit his talent on the track.

“Last year I managed to help my team to win 4x 100 metres relay gold, and during the prize giving ceremony at school I was recognised as the best runner, and that has motivated me a lot. I know I am still young and people believe that along the way I might play football, but i  love  the track," he said.

His mother Pinkie Moloko said as a former athletes she encourages her son and she always make sure that she attends all the competitions as a form of encouragement.

“There is a lot of work, because as a parent you have to ensure that he balances his school work and training so that nothing suffers along the way," she said.

However, Masuku who seem to be very strong in the 200 metres said his ambition was to grow with athletics, adding that he was happy with the support from his team-mate Moloko because they always push each other to go an extra mille.

“My highlight was during the 4x 100 metres relay in Francistown, I was running the second leg, therefore when my team-mate handed the baton to me I was at position four, I pushed very hard and I handed while we were leading the pack, and Mmoloki did not waste time as he anchored their team to victory,” he said.

Their coach Tumo Kgwenyane said the two boys had a great talent and if nurtured well they would make it to greater height.

He said he was cognisant that there were still young therefore they need proper guidance notw to lose focus as they grow.

“Currently we give them examples of the likes of Baboloki Thebe, Karabo Sibanda and Nijel Amos that they use athletics as a form of employment," he said.

National team coach Mogomotsi Otsetswe said 100 metres requires a lot of techniques such as power, good reaction and speed.

Otsetswe said for the country to excel in the sprint the technique should be taught athletes at a tender age so that they grow up knowing what was expected from them. ENDS