National championships attracts elite athletes

Batswana will have a rare opportunity to watch the country’s elite track athletes compete at the Botswana Athletics National Championship billed for the National Stadium on April 3 to 5. The national championship will be used to select a final team that will represent the country at the coming Debswana World Athletics Relays 26. So far, the 4×400 men’s relays team comprising Letsile Tebogo, Lee Eppie, Bayapo Ndori, Collen Kebinatshipi, and Justice Oratile has confirmed participation.

Other athletes to watch are 800 meters runners Ketlhobogile Haingura, Tshepiso Masalela and Kemorena Tisang. Botswana Athletics Association acting president, Oabona Theetso was impressed that elite athletes would compete at the national championship. He said it was unfortunate that in the past, most of the national championships clashed with other athletics events in Europe.

Theetso also said this year’s nationals followed a series of athletics events that were hosted by different clubs such as Jwaneng Athletics Association and Twin Towers. He said the events were used as championship qualifiers, adding that each event at the championships would only admit top 24 athletes. “What I can assure Batswana is that the Nationals are capable of producing good times,” he said.

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Theetso said it was important for Batswana to come and support their own, adding that from the ladies category, they were expecting the likes of Same Mohutsiwa, Naledi Monthe and Nancy Buzwane to give spectators value for their money. Tickets were sold at P50 grand stand, P30 elsewhere and free entry for children under 15 and were to sit at elsewhere stands.

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