07 Feb 2018

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) will hold another Super Night in Lobatse on Saturday (February 10).

The association hosted a successful Super Night a week ago in Francistown where upsets were recorded.

Karabo Mothibi of Jwaneng Athletics Club outclassed the feared Baboloki Thebe in 100 metres.

Mothibi clocked 10:55, Thebe 10:57 while Ditiro Sebele settled for position three with a time of 10:68.

Chances are high that spectators will once again witness a repeat of the Francistown Super Night in 100 metres.

However, BAA vice president, Kenneth Kikwe said in an interview that the main objective of their Super Night series was to help athletes prepare for the Commonwealth Games to be held in the Gold Coast, Australia, in April.

 Furthermore, he said there were major events lined up, amongst them the Africa Youth Games scheduled for 17-18 July in Algiers, Algeria.

The Youth Olympic Games which would be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Tokyo Olympic Games.

“We are using the series to give our athletes a platform to qualify for these major events. However, what is disturbing is the fact that although we are also using the series as Commonwealth Games preparations, we are yet to see most of our top athletes competing in them,” he said.

Kikwe said although the series was yet to produce qualifying times, they were optimistic that most athletes were not far from qualifying for different events.

He said it was not common for athletes to record convincing times straight from the off season. He, however, said in Lobatse a new chapter might be opened looking at their performance in Francistown.

Furthermore, Kikwe said they were happy because some of the upcoming athletes were proving that they were not push-overs.

Meanwhile, Thebe said in an interview that what happened in Francistown was water under the bridge, adding that he was looking forward to Saturday night.

“I am not under any pressure to beat any athlete, I will be running my own race. Remember I have just recovered, therefore, it is one step at a time. If I clock a good time, it will be a bonus for me, and I have to listen to my body and how it reacts on the day,” he said. ENDS