08 Apr 2019

The Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) track and field competitions that were held in Francistown over the weekend failed to produce athletes who will qualify for the IAAF World Championships scheduled for Doha later this year.

However, the Francistown Sports Complex was on fire when promising sprinters faced off in various races in a poorly attended event.

The lack of attendance by Francistowners could be attributed to other competing events such as the encounter between Tafic against Ecco City Greens at the Old Francistown Stadium and RB2’s 27^th birthday celebrations at Molapo Leisure Gardens.

The 400 metre senior men heat saw Leungo Scotch of Maun Athletics Club (MAC) leading the pack, and recording a time of 45:91 followed by Lee Eppe of Orapa Athletics Club (OAC) who managed 46:40.

Nkozi Zibani of Francistown Athletics Club (FAC) clocked 47:18 and occupied position three, Bayapo Ndori of MAC got position four with a time of 47:67 while Modise Sephetsolo of Lobatse Athletics Club (LAC) came last with a time of 54:22.

On paper, Leungo was the only one with a personal best and nearly met the IAAF standard and if he works harder, chances are he might qualify for the IAAF in other upcoming BAA races.

Leungo is an experienced runner who knows how to negotiate curves as well as executing his plan, especially when facing rival opponents in the likes of Eppe.

He also did well in the 200 metre senior men race when he came first clocking 21:61 followed by Omphemetse Poo also from MAC with a time of 21:96 while third position went to Maun’s Kabelo Shabane at 22:00.

In 100 metres senior men heat, Thato Machola of FAC came first with a record time of 11:25 against Kgotso Nsengathekwe of MAC who recorded 11:82.

In the race was also Bosa Moeti of BDF who came third and recorded 11:89 while Gopolang Seadimo of University of Botswana settled for position four with a time of 11:97.

The 800 metres senior men race was another interesting encounter which saw Shepared Kenatshepe of BDF leading with a time of 1:51.19 followed by Otsile Ndori also of BDF with a time of 1:57.97 while Uyapo Shadreck of SPETECO settled for position three with a time of 2:02.97.

In the junior women’s 400 metres, Oratile Nowe of FAC came first in 56.88 followed by Thomphang Bosele of MAC with a time of 57.10 while Motlatsi Ranti of Mogoditshane Athletics Club came third in 57.60.

BAA public relations officer, Ipolokeng Ramotshaba said the Francistown event was used as a qualifier for the IAAF slated for September in Doha.

He said BAA had lined up several events in its calendar such as the Gaborone International Meet in April and the National Senior Championships in May which could also be used by aspiring athletes to qualify for the IAAF.

However, he said some athletes such as Baboloki Thebe had already qualified for the IAAF. ENDS