09 Feb 2021

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) vice president, Oabona Theetso says they were satisfied with the athletes’ turn up during the inter-zonal series in preparation for the World Championships 2022.

He said they have held three series of inter-zonal track and field competitions in Gaborone and Francistown.

Speaking during an interview on Saturday in Gaborone, Theetso said due to the turn up they believed that by April the athletes fitness would be promising.

He noted that inter-zonal competitions were qualifiers for national competitions, adding that during the national stage most athletes would be in good shape.

He applauded national team athletes who performed well in the inter-zonal competitions, saying they expected them to encourage others to also excel.

Theetso noted that they engaged all stakeholders in setting up the competitions despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said they were satisfied with how the officials and athletes complied, revealing that they managed to test all the athletes and officials before entering the stadium.

In the 400 metres junior women, Precious Rasantlo of Jwaneng Athletics Club (JAC) finished first on heat one with 62:56 seconds and Tlhomphang Basele of Senior National Team (SNT) finished first on heat two with 55:21 seconds while junior men 400-metre heat one was won by Laone Ditshetelo clocking 48:73 seconds and Bose Mokgwathi of Palapye Athletics Club won heat two with 51:63 seconds.

Seabe Mokibelo won the 400 metre senior men heat one, clocking 51:45 seconds. Heat two was won by Thabo Motsokono of University of Botswana Athletics Club (UBAC) with 52.96 seconds while Karabo Sibanda of SNT won heat three with 48.06 seconds.

Heat four was won by Omphile Ntaolang of Macha Senior Secondary School, clocking 50:66 seconds while celebrated senior national team runner, Leungo Scotch clocked 46:17 seconds and SNT sprinter Isaac Makwala clocked 46.49 seconds.

SNT runner Leungo Matlhaku won the 100 metres  race clocking 11.75 while Lobatse Athletics Club sprinter, Jayson Mandoze finished first clocking 10:84 in 100 metres junior men heat one, and Lundi Pinaemang of JAC clocked 11:07 seconds to finish first while heat three was won by JAC sprinter, Osego Jameson clocking 11:51 seconds.

The senior men 100 metre heat one was won by JAC sprinter, Phodiso Rampa after clocking 10:86 while heat two was won by Lion Den Athletic Club (LDAC) runner, Thabo Molapo after clocking 10:88 seconds and heat three was won by Obakeng Mothibedi clocking 11:05 seconds.

The 1 500 metres women’s race was won by Ramotswa Athletic Club’s Julia Rakgomo with 6:14:60 minutes while the men’s title was won by Sylvester Koko with 3:56:60 minutes.

The 10 000 metre men’s race was won by LAC long distance runner, Rapula Diphoko in 30:56:18 minutes.

SNT runner Oratile Nowe finished first in 800m after clocking 2:07:48 minutes while junior men Allex Modumo of Maun Botswana Defence Force (MBDF) finished first with 1:57:94 minutes.

In senior men, New Era College Athletic Club (NEC) 800m runner, Khumoetsile Khubego finished first with 1:55:46 minutes while the 200 metre junior women LAC Warona Thonisani finished first after clocking 27:57 seconds in heat one and heat two was won by Lone Madzimule of UBAC clocking 26:56 seconds.

In the senior women heat one, SNT sprinter Leungo Matlhaku finished first after clocking 23:61 seconds while in junior men Boago Mabulane came first in heat one after clocking 22:54 seconds and the upcoming LAC sprinter, Tebogo Letsile finished first clocking 20:82 seconds.

Senior men, UBAC runner Rebeilwe Tshwanyane finished first with 21:78 seconds to top the heat one listing while SNT runner, Ditiro Nzamani finished first in heat two clocking 21:18 seconds.
ENDS