06 Feb 2013

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) public relations officer, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba says the association is working closely with primary schools where young athletes could be easily identified.

He said primary school teachers played a major role in identifying talented children because they were in charge of sporting activities at school adding that talent identification played a pivotal role in sharpening the skills and techniques in preparation of the future.

Ramatshaba stated that they conducted workshops for teachers who coached these students as well as organising competitions for young athletes ." That on its own assist immensely with talent identification," he said.

However, he was jittery when quizzed on how they assisted out of school athletes. Most athletes who were the shining stars at primary or junior schools found themselves in the lurch after finishing school.

He admitted that it was not easy to follow them up but they were coming up with plans to assist them to continue with their profession. Nevertheless, he encouraged athletes to join  clubs so that they could benefit from free coaching and skills transfer.

Athletes could also register at low prices for races; adding that, “this can be a disadvantage to those who have no money for registry fees to participate in national events.”

Ramatshaba added that it was not easy for an individual athlete to be selected to participate in the national team during international competitions. ENDS