BAA urged to act on coach over doping
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday July 4, 2025 12:13
Last week, the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) announced that the trio of Kagiso Mogale, Galaletsang Gabalotegwe, and Refilwe Murangi had tested positive for prohibited substances. Samples collected from the three athletes tested positive for Furosemide as well as Oxymetholone for the two track and field athletes. Gabalotegwe becomes the second athlete coached by Phenyo Semumu to test positive following Naledi Lopang's results last year. Speaking to MmegiSport, Kamanga said he had long advised that Semumu should be suspended for his possible role in the doping cases. Kamanga made the recommendation through the National Anti-Doping Coordinating (NADO) board chairperson, Moses Moruisi, urging the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) to act against Semumu. “It seems a lot of athletes coached by Semumu test positive and it seems like he is involved. Action must be taken against him for bringing athletics into disrepute. We must protect the lives of the athletes. I am not happy that the issue has taken too long and it might seem laws do not apply to other people,” Kamanga said. Semumu had argued that Gabalotegwe should not have been tested since she was 'outside the testing pool.' But Kamanga said even if the athlete was not part of the testing pool, it did not mean she would be exempt from anti-doping regulations. Kamanga said they are not out to punish athletes rather to assist them.
BAA acting president, Oabona Theetso said action would be taken against any individual who brings the name of the BAA into disrepute. “Anyone bringing the name of BAA into disrepute can face the music,” Theetso said. But Semumu believes there is a sinister motive against him. “I am aware that there is a plan to eliminate me and Ofentse Jele from coaching because we are outspoken. The issue started when I raised a complaint about the national team selection for Africa Senior Championships, when my athlete, who was ranked number two was removed and replaced with an athlete who was not even in the top six. Offensive words were exchanged and they removed me from the athletics coaches' WhatsApp group,” he said. Semumu said Gabalotegwe, 21, is not part of the testing pool, but the Doping Control Officer followed her to her house to collect a sample. “She was not tested during competition. It is strange that someone who is not in the testing pool can be followed to her house,” he said.
When asked if he suspects that the testing was staged, Semumu said it was easy to eliminate an underperforming athlete than a star performer, which could dent the country's image. “I am the target, Gabalotegwe is catching stray bullets because I am her coach. When you take Oxymetholone, you should be muscular not skinny like Gabalotegwe, unless she has a medical condition. If it is something injected as a steroid, Gabalotegwe has been performing the same way, since three years ago, she has never ran a faster time,” he said. Semumu said Gabalotegwe has never used steroids or could never be suspected of using them. He pointed out that if they knew that Gabalotegwe had taken steroids, they would have not allowed her to take the test. “She was going to dodge the test because she is not in the testing pool, and only show up when she is clean. But she stayed home knowing that she is clean,” Semumu said.