Youth Olympic medallists tipped to soar
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday August 26, 2014 12:38
Their victories in the 200m and 400m points to a bright future for the two Botswana athletes. The Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) predicted the two are destined for greatness.
“It shows that their development is progressing well. We recommended that they be posted to the school of excellence in Goodhope,” BAA public relations officer, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba said.
Sibanda won silver in the 400m last Thursday before Thebe grabbed a similar medal in the 200m.
Both athletes announced their arrival on the big stage with medals at the Africa Youth Games held in Gaborone in May. It is however their exploits in Nanjing that provide hope for the future to ensure continued success for the country on the track. Amantle Montsho, Nijel Amos and Isaac Makwala have carried the baton well thus far and continuity will be key once they call it quits.
Ramatshaba said they will utilise Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) programmes to ensure the young athletes develop fully.
“Their success did not come to us as a surprise. We have long realised their potential and they are destined for greater things,” Ramatshaba said. He said with the many interventions in place, the two athletes are bound to conquer the world.
Meanwhile, it was a good weekend for Makwala who finished second in the Diamond League in Birmingham on Sunday. The result leaves him in position four on the Diamond League 400m standings with two races to go. He has three points, 15 behind leader Lashawn Merritt of the USA.