Concern as BAA sends all-male team to US
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday July 9, 2022 06:00
Team manager, Tshepo Kelaotswe, said the situation remains a concern. He said recently, there has been a decline in terms of women athletes' performance. He committed that they intend to increase women's participation in the team.
“We are concerned about this and we intend to work hard in making sure that we change that come next year. It does not look good to have an all-men team. When we come back from the championships we will make things right,” he said.
Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) chief executive officer, Botho Bayendi acknowledged Kelaotswe's concerns and efforts to rectify the situation. “I take it that it is a BAA commitment. It is a gap that we acknowledge as sport leaders that we will love to have women in full participation. The inclusion that we talk about,” she said. Bayendi said there are many companies that should come on board and assist in sponsoring sport.
She observed that there is a tendency of some companies who show up when it is time to celebrate. Bayendi said Debswana came at the right time so that it becomes part of the value chain. “As Botswana, we are consequential beneficiaries of your hard work.
I, therefore, challenge you that as you receive this flag, the ultimate is for it to be lifted and for the national anthem to be sung,” she said. Debswana corporate affairs manager, Louis Baseki said the company is sponsoring athletics with P9 million for the next three years.
He said they look into taking athletes to different international competitions. “Paris 2024 is an opportune time for Botswana to see a record number of athletes going there and bringing back medals. I plead with us to rally behind the team all the time.
The BAA promised us that the team will be well prepared when they travel to the competitions,” he said. Baseki said the recent performance at Tokyo 2020, World Under-20 Championships and Africa Senior Championships by the team is an indication that they can perform at the highest level and bring silverware. The World Athletics Championships kick off in Eugene at the Hayward Field at the University of Oregon on July 15-24.
The team will undergo pre-championship training camp before the commencement of the world event. Isaac Makwala, Nijel Amos and jumper, Thalosang Tshireletso will join the rest of the team from Europe, where they are currently based for competition and training. The team comprises nine athletes, two coaches, a team manager, an assistant team manager, a psychologist, and a massage therapist.
The team: Anthony Pesela (400m and 4x400m relay), Bayapo Ndori (400m and 4x400m relay), Leungo Scotch (4x400m relay), Zibane Ngozi (4x400m relay), Maitseo Keitumetse (4x400m relay), Makwala (200m, 400m and 4x400m relay), Letsile Tebogo (100m), Amos (800m), Tshireletso (Long jump), Justice Dipeba (head coach), Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane (assistant coach), Kabo Molefe (massage therapist), Violet Nthutang (psychologist), Kelaotswe (manager) and Amogelang Masalela (assistant manager).