16 Aug 2021

The World Athletics Under 20 Championships scheduled to start in Kenya today will be delayed by a day due to logistical challenges.

Botswana coach, Chilume Ntshwarang, said in an interview that the delay was a blessing in disguise.

“Some athletes react differently to jet-lag and change of environment. So, one more extra day would help them to fully recover,” he said.

The coach said the team had its first training session on Saturday.

Ntshwarang said the athletes were in good spirits and they were looking forward to the competition.

Botswana has sent 13 athletes who will represent the country in different categories.

In the 100 metres (men), the team will be represented by Letsile Tebogo and Jayson Mandoze, while Boitshepiso Kelapile will compete in the 100 metres race for women.

In 200 metres, there is Tebogo, Mandoze and Anthony Pesela.

In the 4x100 relay, Botswana will be represented by Godiraone Lobalamang, Lundi Pinaemang, Allison Kenosi and Tumo Lesesere.

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

A press release from the World Athletics says the championships delay was caused by logistics of teams’ travelling and moving of equipment.

It, however, says the full athletics programme will be accommodated in five days rather than five-and-a-half days; with minimal impact on the athletes from more than 100 countries.

Furthermore, it says the new schedule will deliver a fast-paced event.

Broadcast rights have been taken up by more than 14 countries, with 12 of them showing the event live.

The release says over the past 18 months, World Athletics has been determined to give athletes as many opportunities as possible to compete, despite the complex conditions the world still faces in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We would like to thank our athletes and their teams, our suppliers and the local organising committee in Kenya for accommodating this change and working collaboratively in challenging times to stage great championships for these promising athletes as they begin their athletics journey,” says the release. ends