28 Apr 2021

Botswana relay teams left for Poland on Tuesday to compete at the World Athletics Relays Silesia 2021 to be held at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzow, Poland over the weekend.

Team Botswana has been in Pretoria, South Africa preparing for the competition, but they suffered a major setback after head coach, Justice Dipeba, lost his sister and had to return home.

Botswana Athletics Association, vice president Oabaona Theetso said the team would be under the care of assistant coach, Dose Mosimanyane.

He expressed confidence that the team would perform well in honouring their coach’s sister, adding that the team had travelled with a psychologist.

Theetso said the team would soldier on despite the adversity that had befallen them, adding that their mission was to qualify for the Olympics, Senior Africa Championships and other major athletics activities.

“The team is ready despite the devastating news,” he said adding that the psychologist was there to manage the team.

“We want to make it to the finals as that could ensure that the relay teams secure a qualification for the Olympic Games and the World Championships next year.

He said the lineup of all the relay teams had already been decided.

However, he said he trusted the judgement of Mosimanyane, if there were changes to be made to the lineup.

Team Botswana 4x400m men’s category is made up of Ditiro Nzamani, Isaac Makwala, Boitumelo Masilo, Leungo Scotch, Karabo Sibanda, Bayapo Ndori, and Zibane Ngozi.

The 4x100m team is made up of Karabo Mothibi, Letsile Tebogo, Thapelo Monaiwa, Leaname Maotoanong, Thuto Masasa and Koorapetse Lesotlho.

The 4x400m women’s team is made up of Tlhompang Basele, Loungo Matlhaku, Amantle Montsho, Galefele Moroko, Oarabile Babolayi and Oratile Nnowe.

Christine Botlogetswe, Lee Eppie, Matlhaku, Ndori, Ngozi, Nowe and Karabo Sibanda will represent the country in the 4x400 mixed relay. ENDS