Women’s relay team gets Budapest slot
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday August 5, 2023 06:00
The team had failed to qualify for the biggest athletics competition during the track and field event that was organised by the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) on July 20, which was the deadline for qualification.
The BAA vice president-administration, Oabona Theetso told Mmegi Sport that the invitation was extended to the team on Tuesday.
“We have confirmed that we will be taking part in the women’s 4x400m relay. We were invited after the withdrawal of another country. We are not aware of the name of that country. That is not an issue. This is an opportunity to give the girl-child an opportunity to partake in the championships,” he said.
Theetso said he believes the team is ready because if it was not ready, they could not have organised the relays event last month.
However, 800m runner, Oratile Nowa who had previously qualified for the championships through rankings is now out.
Botswana National Sport Commission CEO, Tuelo Serufho told Mmegi Sport that BAA has not communicated anything to his office.
“The BAA has not communicated those details to us. Once they have informed us, we can engage with them accordingly,” Serufho said.
However, there is a feeling in some quarters that despite qualification through the ‘back door’ the BAA has failed the team.
“The team failed to compete in two competitions, which translates to a month without competition. Yes, they were training during that period, but they were not motivated.
The BAA organised a competition on deadline day, which came as a surprise to the athletes. We cannot blame them for the way they performed. As we speak, they have lost momentum and others are thinking about next season,” a source said.
The official said the team had given up on qualifying for Budapest, adding said if there was a preliminary camp, the athletes could still be in the camp now, being trained and monitored.
“The athletes could still be having momentum but the assumption is that they are now rusty. The team will be competing against countries that have prepared (well). It will not be a surprise when the team is knocked out during preliminary rounds,” the source said.
Team Botswana is expected to jet off to Budapest on August 14. Athletes who have been competing in the Diamond League and other athletics meets in Europe are back in the country.
Letsile Tebogo will join the team in Budapest and will only return home in September after the Diamond League final.
Collen Kebinatshipi and Baboloki Thebe will also return home in the same month as Tebogo.
Tebogo will be in the spotlight on day one in the men’s 100m preliminary round. The sprinter has also shown interest in the men’s 4x400m relay team, an idea that is being considered by the coaches.