Doping: Botswana’s ticking time bomb
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday July 19, 2025 06:00
In recent weeks, the entire nation has been left searching for answers as doping cases continue to escalate. This week, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) announced two more cases from athletics involving Tshepang Manyika and Mpho Lekwalo who tested positive to Oxymetholone and Stranozolo.
Oxymetholone was also detected in samples from Refilwe Murangi, Galaletsang Gabalotegwe, and Kagiso Mogale in June. Is it a coincidence? That’s the big question. If cases continue to spike, it casts doubt on Botswana’s image on the international stage.
Most of the athletes caught up in these scandals are from athletics, but the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has maintained that it will not comment on the issue, following instructions from Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC).
“BNOC as our motherbody, set the tone very clear that it would not comment further on the issue.
That is what we are forced to do until all necessary measures are taken,” BAA acting president, Oabona Theetso told MmegiSport after the first batch of tests last month.
But there is a feeling that the BAA could do more and stand firm to show their position on the matter. BAA is one of the most influential associations and is the most affected, therefore a lot is expected from them in driving the course.
The downside is that, the escalation of cases comes at a time when the country is preparing to host the 2026 World Relays.
There are fears that coaches are heavily involved in the escalating doping cases.
According to a study titled ‘Anti-Doping Education and Consideration/Intention of Using Prohibited Substances’ conducted by former University of Botswana academic, Professor Tshepang Tshube in 2024, over 60% of young athletes who had intentions to dope gave references to coaches.
The study stated that coaches and the pressure to secure medals at the international competition level have been identified as significant contributors to the increasing number of local doping cases. It has also emerged that some of the athletes who tested positive, knowingly consumed the substances.
The minister, to date, has not passed appropriate legislation on anti-doping and the wait continues for the draft bill, policy, and regulations that will be in line with the WADA code. WADA dictates that each country should have laws against anti-doping and Botswana does not have a law against anti-doping.
Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC), and BAA should have their own regulations which can be used to ban coaches fingered in supplying athletes with banned substances. Botswana relies on WADA regulations and Botswana Police Service (BPS) should be empowered to arrest and prosecute athletes and coaches who promote doping.
Botswana as a WADA signatory has an obligation to implement global and national regulations, however, the legislation remains a work in progress. Sport leadership including the minister should be heard protecting sport, clean athletes, and the image of the country.
Meanwhile, veteran 400m runner, Isaac Makwala has raised concern about the escalation of cases, citing that most of the victims are women. He said maybe the new generation of athletes does not have patience, when they see others winning international competitions and getting rewarded with houses, it is painful for them.
“The most important is athletes’ welfare which is at zero percent and it not easy for them.
They are unemployed, they do not have places to stay, it is difficult to attend training daily and not win anything at the end of the season for almost three years. It is painful to them,” he said.
Makwala believes that some of the athletes are pushed by their coaches because in some instances a coach wants the athlete to make the national team before they are ready.
He pointed out that most of the athletes who tested positive were given the substances by their coaches because they are young and know nothing about steroids.