06 May 2019

Isaac Makwala, 400 metres runner, failed to qualify for the World Championships during the Botswana Athletics Association national championships in Francistown over the weekend.

All eyes were on Makwala because most spectators expected him to spice up the event with a qualification. During the heats, he clocked 45.57 ahead of  Leungo Scotch and Ditiro Ndamani who managed 45.64 and 46.65 respectively.

In the finals, Makwala clocked 45.43 against 45.22 which is a set time for qualification to the seventeenth edition of the IAAF World Championships penciled for Qatar in October.

Position two went to Scotch with 45.85, followed by Zibane Nkosi who clocked 46.21.

 BAA spokesperson, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba said in an interview that Makwala was close to qualification.

 He, however, said some athletes could qualify in Europe, given that the weather conditions were favourable.

Ramatshaba said he was hopeful that between now and October, many athletes would qualify provided the association could secure races for them.

Scotch made headlines when he clocked a personal best time of 45.73 at the BAA meet in Francistown a month ago.

The three athletes complained that they failed to perform to their best ability because there was too much wind particularly at the backstraight and at the finishing, something that was also echoed by Ramatshaba.

Scotch however, said lack of sponsorship was a serious challenge to new comers, saying athletes such as Makwala stood a good chance to do well in the track because of sponsorship

However, he said he was willing to work hard because he had taken athletics as a career. Ndzimani said he was happy to have been on the track with  Makwala.

In the women’s 200m race, Christine Botlogetswe emerged the gold medalist after running 23.64, followed by Tsaone Sebele with a finishing time of 23.95 while Bogadi Dipholo settled for bronze with a time of 25.31

In the men’s long jump, Thapelo Monaiwa emerged the championship with a jump of 7.67m, going home with a gold medal, followed by Tsame Lebelenyane with 7.54m whilst Thudzwa Mashaka settled for the bronze medal with a score of 7.45m.

Baboloki Thebe was over the moon after he sailed through clocking a time of 20.92 in the 200m, while Mosito Lehata of Lesotho came closely  with 21.17 and Zimbabwe’s Raymond Ngavi clocked 21.87.

In the 5000m race finals, Lebogang Medupe of Francistown Athletics Club emerged the champion clocking 31.29.69 followed by Amantle Kekganetswe of Selebi Phikwe clocking 31.29.72 and on third spot was Tlholego Ketshekile of Mmadinare in 31.41.57.

The High Jump men’s category saw Tshwanelo Aabone of University of Botswana (UB) being crowned the gold medalists after jumping 2.23m, and Aobakwe Nkobela settling for position two after jumping 2.20m, while the bronze medal went to Wandizani Mujangi with a jump of 2.10m.

The javelin women’s category was won by Francistown Athletics Club’s Amuchilani George (gold), Monkgosi Chimi (silver) and Onalethata Chifananga (bronze) respectively.

The Triple Jump men saw Tshwanelo Aabobe of UB scooping position one with a jump of 15.82m, while Moabi Mohuhutso of BOTESSA jumped 14.71 m and Norman Chibala of Lobatse Athletics Club settled for the bronze medal with a jump of 14.64m. ENDS