6 hours agoBAA secures P6 million timing system

In the world of athletics, the razor-thin margin separating gold from silver can vanish in the blink of an eye. Remove electronic timing from the equation, and what remains is guesswork, stopwatches, and heated disputes at the finish line. For the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA), that chaotic era is now firmly relegated to the past.

Thanks to robust support from the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC), the BAA has invested in a cutting-edge Fully Automatic Timing (FAT) system valued at over P6 million. This sleek, high-tech equipment replaces the aging gear that has been in service since the 2014 Africa Youth Games. Manufactured by Belgium-based TimeTronics and backed by government funding, the new system arrives at a pivotal moment as Botswana gears up for greater international challenges, including preparations for the 2026 World Relays scheduled for May.

For years, local competitions have relied on technology that’s well past its prime, equipment purchased more than a decade ago. While it served its purpose, the relentless march of innovation in athletics demands sharper accuracy, faster processing, and flawless alignment with global standards. Electronic timing isn’t a luxury; it’s the bedrock of credibility.

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The system harnesses sensors and photo-finish technology to measure performances down to the thousandth of a second, eradicating the human reaction errors that once plagued stopwatch timing. Historically, from the inaugural modern Olympic Games in 1896 through 1960, officials depended on handheld stopwatches. In races where athletes lunged for the finish line in unison, the results were often mired in controversy.

The advent of fully automatic timing transformed the sport by guaranteeing fairness, precision, and universal standardization. Today, only electronically timed results hold sway for qualifying into major championships. Without a certified FAT system, athletes’ performances, no matter how extraordinary, cannot be recognized as official qualifying marks.

World Athletics, the sport’s global governing authority, enforces stringent protocols for ratifying performances and records. According to its rules, national federations must submit formal applications within 30 days of an event. These applications include photo-finish images, doping control outcomes, technical surveyor reports, and verification of the equipment employed.

Failure to meet these rigorous standards can nullify records and qualifying times. Within this framework, Botswana’s acquisition of a new FAT system carries profound significance. Beyond a mere equipment upgrade, it signals the nation’s commitment to cementing its reputation as a serious contender on the continental athletics stage.

BAA acting president Oabona Theetso affirmed that the government funded the purchase at a cost exceeding P6 million, calling it a strategic investment in the sport’s future. “The intention is not only to have the machine, but to build capacity around it,” Theetso emphasized. For years, the BAA has struggled with a shortage of trained electronic timing officials, a limitation that has hampered its ability to host top-tier competitions across the country’s diverse regions.

The new system comes with a deliberate skills transfer initiative designed to bridge that gap. Currently, 26 local officials are undergoing intensive training to master the sophisticated equipment. This programme is spearheaded by international experts from TimeTronics, including Angus Campbell from South Africa, Kim Peeters from Belgium, and John Chizu from Zambia.

The involvement of seasoned technicians underscores the initiative’s seriousness. In athletics, the margin for error is virtually non-existent. A mistimed start signal, a misaligned camera, or a calibration glitch can compromise results and undermine trust. Theetso noted that once more officials become qualified, the association will be empowered to stage competitions across various parts of Botswana, rather than concentrating major events in a handful of centers.

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