BAA warns against unsanctioned marathons
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday September 8, 2016 14:59
The marathon is scheduled to continue in various places such as Maun and Jwaneng as part of the country’s independence celebrations. BAA spokesperson, Roland Masalila said they learnt this week that the marathon was held over the weekend. He said the organisers of the marathon had not followed proper procedure.
“The organisers had written a letter to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture to host the marathon. They knew that they should liaise with a BAA affiliate because that is the way a marathon is organised in the country, but they refused and proceeded with the event,” Masalila said.
He said they were shocked to learn that the Francistown edition was won by a 17-year-old athlete. He said that is against the rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) where athletes 17-years and under are not supposed to run over 25 kilometres. He said as an IAAF affiliate, BAA has decided to conduct an investigation into the marathon and they intend to take action against the organisers.
“All we are saying is we are distancing ourselves as BAA and our affiliates from the Great BW Marathon. It is an illegal marathon and we are not part of it. If something happens, the public should know that we were not part of it,” he said.
Masalila said procedure was that in races where monetary prizes were involved, anti-doping tests should be conducted and with the current set-up that is not happening. He said BAA tried to engage the organisers by letter in August, but they did not respond.
One of the marathon organisers, Monica Somolekae told Mmegi Sport that they tried to cooperate with BAA with no luck. She said they do not understand the association’s gripe. Somolekae said they are working with the Gaborone Runners Club and Francistown Athletics Club (FAC) and it was untrue that affiliates are unaware of the marathon.
“FAC was in charge of the technical side of the marathon that we held in Francistown. This weekend we are in Maun followed by Jwaneng. We are ready to work with BAA, but they must be aware that we have invested a lot of money in this project,” Somolekae said.