Athletics Power Team Botswana In Maseru
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday December 13, 2021 16:00
Thuso Omphile clocked 10.91 to clinch a gold in the boys 100m. Thapelo Galeboe went for gold in the boys 2000m steeplechase with a time of 06:13:18. Goitseone Joel won a gold after jumping 1.60m in the girls’ high jump. Another gold came from Thuto Oduetse in the boys shotput after throwing 13.37m. The girls 4x400m medley relay that had Galaletsang Gabotlogelwe, One Magwaneng, Oratile Kolobe and Warona Thonisani won a gold medal for Botswana with a time of 2:24:12. The boys medley relay team also scooped a gold medal clocking 1:58:00. The team comprised Botlhe Gaolatlhe, Collen Kebinatshipi, Abofelo Leitseng and Tumiso Gabonamong. Mandawu said everything went according to plan. “We wanted gold medals and the team responded and delivered. I had trust in this team as I was with them during all selections, North and South.
I also attended training camps. Those who had small knocks (injuries) were taken care of,” he said. Mandawu also said they brought many personal best (PBs) in most races, in 400m boys, Kebinatshipi ran 47.21 in the heats.
He noted that the time is a World Junior Championships qualifier. “Discipline was very high in the camp. That worked wonders for me. I wish this team could be kept together and train together from time to time so as to assist coaches to work on touch ups,” he said. Mandawu said the next edition of the Games is set for Malawi next year. He said the team stands a chance to continue where they left of. He said some of the team members stand a chance to compete at the World Junior Championships. He said the success of the team was due to the support from Botswana National Sport Commission, Botswana Athletics Association, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development. He said parents cannot be left out because they have been supportive.
The PASSOBO team also had a brilliant competition collecting three gold medals, five silver and three bronze. PASSOBO team manager, Mpho Pheto said the team performed well with eight athletes, six boys and two girls.
He said despite challenges such as rain that affected the coaches programme, they managed to utilise the little space they had to train. “We had an injury in the 800m T13 girls and she failed to finish the race. Botlhe Bokang Mopalo T12 girls won gold in 100m,200m. Theo Nkele T13 boys Gold 200m,bronze 400m), Kago Sebaraboyi T11 Boys Silver 100m. Aayon Keamogetse Serepelele T11 boys 200m silver. Zaayon Amogelang Serepelele T11 boys 400m silver. Phemo Karenna T12 boys (silver 100m,Silver 200m). Mpho Lesco Tinye T11 800m boys bronze. Amantle Makhura T13 girls 400m bronze,” he said.