10 Aug 2021

A team of 13 athletes will represent Botswana at the World Athletics Under 20 Junior Championships penciled for Kenya on August 17-22.

Botswana Athletics Association’s (BAA) Oabona Theetso expressed confidence that the association had assembled a talented team, which would represent the country with pride.

Theetso said the team was in camp for one week instead of at least a month to prepare for the championships.

He said they had targeted two medals, adding that they did not want to put the youngsters under pressure.

“This competition is for development, so we want them to just go there and enjoy their races and they should be calm and forget the senior 4x400 metres men’s relays results in Tokyo,” he said.

The team’s coach, Chilume Ntshwarang, said the preparations went well and the team was in good shape.

“Most of the athletes have been training at their respective clubs and they have been working closely with their coaches.

So, I would say we are going there to compete,” he said.

He expressed delight following BAA leadership’s word of encouragement to athletes.

In 100 metres (men), the team would be represented by Letsile Tebogo and Jayson Mandoze, while the only female travelling with the team Boitshepiso Kelapile would also compete in the 100m race.

Tebogo, Mandoze and Anthony Pesela, who travelled with Team Botswana to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, would compete in the 200 metres event whilst Godiraone Lobalamang, Lundi Pinaemang, Allison Kenosi and Tumo Lesesere would compete in the 4x 100 relay.

In the 4x400 men’s relay team, Botswana would pin its hopes on the quartet of Oreeditse Masede, Thusoyaone Gabanatlhong, Busang Kebinatshipi, Abofelo Keitseng and Phenyo Majama. ENDS