Botswana passes World Relays test

The country became the first African nation to host the competition, with 40 countries and over 700 athletes participating in the process. Despite the enormity of the assignment, Botswana delivered well on and off the field. The competition saw athletes receive medals that contained a natural diamond, a first for the sport.

Over the two days, the National Stadium was filled with passionate fans, as the competition received rave reviews from across the globe. “What a spectacle it has been witnessing the fire, the discipline, and the unrelenting competitive spirit right here on our home soil. You did not just compete; you inspired a nation,” the World Relays Local Organising Committee (LOC) wrote in a statement on Sunday.

To the leadership of this country, your unwavering vision has shaped how the world now sees us. Through your lens, we dared to dream bigger and we delivered. We brought the world to us,” the statement posted on Facebook, added.

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The build-up to the tournament was marred by concerns over lack of publicity and slow ticket sales. On the pitch, Botswana proved its mettle once more as records tumbled. For the first time, the 4x100m relay team qualified for the World Athletics Championships to be held in Beijing, China next year.

“Hosts Botswana provided the most memorable moment of the weekend with victory in the men’s 4x400m, not only securing their place at the World Championships, but also smashing the competition record with 2:54.47, the third-fastest clocking in history,” reads a statement from World Athletics. Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do.

The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door…

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