13 Dec 2017

Oarabile Tshosa of Southern region and Zabrone Machara of Francistown were declared 100m winners in the ladies and men categories respectively during the ongoing 2017 Botswana Games at the National Stadium on December 11. 

In the women category, Tshosa recorded a convincing 12.12 in the finals.

She made her intentions of being the winner known on heat two with a finishing time of 12.31.

In the final, Tshosa showed her opponents what she was made of as she demonstrated all the sprint techniques on the track.

She started well from the blocks and maintained her speed until the finish line.

On position two, was Rose Sanane of Kweneng with 12.51 while position three went to Refilwe Murangi of North West with 12.52.

She said in an interview that she was happy that she was the won the race.

Tshosa said she had worked very hard together with her coach for the games adding that her desire was to represent the country at major competitions.

“As a country, we are lagging behind in sprints, more especially at the women side. My intention is to go all the way and maybe become the first woman in short sprint to represent Botswana,” she said.

Her coach, Chilume Ntshwarang said Tshosa was a very brave young woman, “who is fearless on track.”

He said he was not shocked when she outclassed her opponent, in a very tough and challenging start list.

“Tshosa came a long way with athletics, mind you she made it in the BISA team at the age of 13. Last year, she made it to regional championships team and she managed to run 12.03. So, that alone is a clear sign that she will go places,” he said.

In the men’s category, Machara redeemed his pride after he was disqualified in the 100 metres finals during the BISA games finals recently. 

As a result, he came to the Botswana Games a wounded buffalo with a point to prove.

And he did not disappoint spectators who believed in him, as he easily sailed through to the semi-finals finishing on position two behind Emmanuel Alifandika of North East.

In the final, he came with guns blazing recording a very good time of 10.97 followed by Gaone Rakwetla of Jwaneng with 11.02 while position three went to Mothusi Boitshwarelo of North East with 11.02.

Machara said in an interview that this year, he wanted to record better times adding that winning Botswana Games 100 metres race was a relief after he was disqualified for a false start in the BISA finals.

“I was disqualified, it pained me, I knew I will find an opportunity to redeem my pride, yes I am happy I managed to finish and start the race properly. We learn every day, today I was very cautious. I listened to the gun,” he said. ENDS