Athletes in rush as deadline looms
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday April 5, 2024 13:09
The deadline for qualification is Sunday and tomorrow's event presents athletes with the final chance to book their place on the plane to Nassau, The Bahamas, where the World Athletics Relays will be held on May 4 and 5. The qualification period opened in January last year.
In The Bahamas, relay teams would be fighting for a slot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The highlight of the Lefika International Relays is the presence of sprint sensation, Letsile Tebogo, who would be competing in the men’s 4x100m relay. Jwaneng Athletics Club coach, Chilume Ntshwarang said the weekend event is another opportunity to continue developing the national team. He said the relays are not only a qualifier but to build the capacity of having a huge pool of athletes for international games. “When such competition comes through, we should look at our world rankings as a country in world relays.
The format of relays has been adjusted, it is no longer top 16 but top 32. The biggest target is to qualify both the men's and women's 4x100m relay teams because it seems like they are not given much attention.
When you qualify for the finals at the World Relays, you automatically qualify for the Olympics,” he said.
Ntshwarang said the presence of Tebogo would serve as a motivation to the 4x100m relay team.
He said other relay teams like the men’s 4x400m relay team built through individual excellence, citing Isaac Makwala when he was still on top winning continental titles. He said other teams like the men’s 4x400m, 4x400m mixed relays and the women’s 4x400m are safe for the World Athletics Relays. Lion’s Den coach, Lebone Sejakgomo said he expects fireworks at the competition, especially in the junior men 4x100m and 4x400m senior men. Sejakgomo said some of the athletes from his club expected to take the war to competitors include Katlo Magogwe in the men’s 4x400m and Lefa Ludick in the junior men's 4x100m.
Speaking to MmegiSport, Lefika Athletics Club spokesperson, Charles Keikotlhae said the stage is set for the competition although they had challenges with attracting sponsorship. He said most of the international participants list had not been finalised by yesterday (Thursday). The only confirmations were from Namibia and Zambia. He added that countries such as Eswatini, South Africa, and Zimbabwe had partially confirmed. The programme for the World Athletics Relays comprises five relay disciplines, men’s and women’s 4x400m and 4x400m.
There is also the 4x400m mixed relay and 32 teams will be entered in each of those. The top 14 teams at the World Athletics Relays will automatically qualify for places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Teams will have two opportunities to qualify in Nassau, if they are unsuccessful on day one, another chance will be provided on day two.
Lefika International Relays teams: Men: 4x100m: Tebogo, Phodiso Rampha, Thuto Masasa, Tumo van Wyk, Calvin Omphile and Stensol Sibanda. Women: 4x100m: Nancy Budzani, Tsaone Sebele, Refilwe Murangi, Lone Madzimule and Winnie Sarefo. Men: 4x400m: Zibani Ngozi, Ernest Kumevu, Anthony Pesela, Isaac Makwala, Omphile Seribe and Kabo Rankgwe. Women: 4x400m: Christine Botlogetswe, Thomphang Basele, Motlatsi Rante, Batisani Kennekae, Golekanye Chikani, and Rita Jack. Mixed 4x400m: Keitumetse Maitseo, Clifton Meshack, Kago Seshoka, Kennekae, and Chikani.