27 Feb 2018

Botswana athletics national team coach, Justice Dipeba has said as coaches they need to do more in terms of coaching and getting athletes ready for any competitions.  

Dipeba said in an interview after watching Botswana Tertiary Students Sports Association (BOTESSA) Bracket B national athletics Championships on Saturday at UB Stadium.

He argued that some of the athletes have potential and he was of the view that they were not getting enough time to prepare for BOTESSA competitions.

“Only about two weeks ago we started seeing athletes from other institutions coming to the stadium for training and we all know that we need more than that to get ready for a competition,” he said.

He said during the competition a lot of athletes were dropping off the races and some got injured, saying that alone was lack of fitness and preparedness.

However, during the competition University of Botswana student Cliffton Meshack was a marvel to watch, and he gave Batswana hope that with focus and good preparations he is for the future in 400 metres.

In the heat, Meshack was composed and in the last 100 metres he punched his hand in the air sending a strong message to his opponents that he will be coming for them in the finals, he clocked 50:22 followed by Joseph Kesupile of IDM with 53:66, while Atlang Gabatshwane of BUIST settled for position three with 54:56. 

In the finals Meshack did it again, showing his opponents dust, he started the race slow but he finished very strong in the event recording 47:65, followed by his team mate, Lesedi Omondi with 50:74, while Modisaotsile Nguto of BUAN finished on position three with 50:91.

Meshack said in an interview that he did his best but he was not happy with his time, adding that although he improved his 48:15 time he clocked during Lobatse Super Night meet, he would continue to fight to improve his time.

“I am looking forward to the championships, and my intention to improve on my 47:14 personal best,” he said.

In 400 metres women, University of Botswana athletes continued to rule the track as Tjaligwa Makgoba won a gold medal with a time of 1:11:78, Aeeletso Tebogo of Botho University won a silver with 1:15:94, while Goitseone Rantsha of Botswana Accountancy College in Gaborone settled for bronze with 1:38:15.

In 200 metres Kevin Moyo and Rebeilwe Thwanyane both of UB won gold and silver with a time of 21:83 and 22:10 respectively while Keorapetse Lesotlho of Botho University won bronze after clocking 22:61.

In the fields events, high jump, Pilane Mosielele won a gold with 1.85metres followed by Dreadson Mathemba and Ljomonti Monti with 1.80.

In long jump women final, Okeditswe Mosweu of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology recorded 4.63, Chandada Moatswi of Francistown Botswana Accountancy College clocked 44.38, while Hellen Matong of IDM finished third with 4.24. ENDs