25 Jan 2018

Francistown Sport Complex is expected to be on fire when Botswana promising sprinters face off in 200 metres in the second edition of Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) Super Night track and field series tomorrow.

The 200 metres, stellar line-up includes amongst others; Baboloki Thebe, Zabrone Machara, Trust Rebabedi and Tumo Nkape.

Meanwhile, Thebe had recorded a very impressive time of 21.16 during the Super Night meet held in Gaborone a fortnight ago. On paper, Thebe is the favourite to win the race and he will be expected to guide the youngsters on the track.

Thebe’s experience will also come in handy, given that he is one athlete who knows how to blast from the blocks and negotiate his curve properly as well as executing his race plan well. 

The race is expected to clock good times and therefore chances are that spectators might see some young athletes qualifying for upcoming major under 20 competitions.

However, Thebe should not take his opponents for granted. Who ever thought America’s sprinter Justin Gatlin will ever dethrone Usain Bolt 100 metres World Championship. For that reason in athletics anything is possible.

In 100 metres again, it will be very interesting to watch Machara, Giant Motswedi, Karabo Mothibi and Keene Motukisi as both athletes have potential and surely spectators will have a super night to remember.

BAA secretary general Raymond Phale said the Super Night meet would be used as qualifiers for Youth Olympic games to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Africa Youth Games that would be in Algeria in August as well as a qualification for Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.

He said they expected a large turnout of athletes given that in the first edition, more athletes could attend because they had gone to their different home villages as schools were still closed.

“For the school going athletes, they can also use the series to prepare for upcoming BISA competitions, so in a nutshell we expect a very good attendance,” he said. 

Thebe said in an interview that he would be running the sprints for some time to sharpen his speed.

“Last season I only competed in the 400 metres and my speed was a little bit suspect, and remember I have just recovered from an injury. I want to take one step at a time,” he said.

Furthermore, Thebe said there were a lot of events lined up this season and he would want to approach them with a “top-gear”

For Machara, he said he had registered in both 100 and 200 metres, and his hope was that he would hit the qualifying standard for both competitions.

He said he was prepared for the Super Night and looking at his preparations, he stands a very good chance of clocking impressive times.

“I am very well prepared and hoping for the best as I have been training hard and it would be my first time to compete in high profile meet,” he said.

Despite not knowing which athletes have registered for both 100 and 200 metres, he said that was not bothering him, given that he was going there to enjoy his race with less pressure, but his ultimate goal was to improve his times.

Other athletes will also compete in different events amongst them 100 metres hurdles, 2000m steeple chase, 4x100m, 4 x400m both men and women relay teams.

In field events, there is triple jump, discus, javelin, shot put, and high jump for both men and women. The first events being 1000m race walk final for men and high jump final for women will start at 5 pm. Ends