Mabote decries lack of support

Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday September 21, 2016 15:55

Speaking upon his arrival at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport yesterday, he said had he received enough support prior to the games, he could have done better. “If I could have been given enough support prior to the games, I believe I would have done better. The main issue is time. My target was to beat 49 seconds and I could have if I was given the support before the games,” he said. Mabote came fourth in the heats of the 400m T12 partially impaired category with personal best of 51:33 seconds, which is also a national record. He had clocked 54:22 seconds as his qualification time. The Mochudi-born sprinter revealed that he had set a target of podium finish but he was happy to beat his personal best and hopes to improve his time in the future.

For his part, Mabote’s coach Raj Rathedi also bemoaned lack of support but hopes the athlete’s display at the games will help change the situation. “We had our challenges here at home before we left. He did well at the games and was ranked one of the best in Africa before the games. Now he has broken into the World’s top 16. So despite all these challenges he has done well and we have achieved our initial target,” he said.

Rathedi also revealed that the athlete will formally join the UB Athletics Club to prepare him for next year’s World Championships. “The target now is the World Championships and he (Mabote) will join UB Athletics Club to work with Justice Dipeba. He will have a two weeks rest then resume training. The advantage with the UB Club is that they have all the facilities he will need,” he said.

However, Mabote said he was humbled by the welcome he got yesterday as he had endured a difficult time in Brazil after his race. “I have been homesick and felt alone after the race. Seeing all these people who came out to welcome me back home is a joy,” he said.