World Relays to cost over P40m
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday August 4, 2025 12:49
The World Athletics Council awarded the right to host the World Athletics Relays to Botswana, and the competition will be held on May 2 to 3, 2026. Speaking to MmegiSport, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) vice chairperson, Oabona Theetso, said the funding will come from World Athletics, Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), the private sector, whilst the largest chunk of the budget will be from the Government of Botswana. Theetso said that whilst he has the budget breakdown, he was not at liberty to share it. Some of the major projects that are expected to use most of the funding are the refurbishment of the University of Botswana (UB) stadium, which will be the warm-up area, and the National Stadium, the competition facility.
The National Stadium has since been closed, with the renovation project expected to be completed by September. The track was recently relaid, and the refurbishment is necessary to ensure it meets international standards for the World Athletics Relays. Theetso said a team from World Athletics would be in Gaborone to tour some facilities as preparations for the world event gather pace. “World Athletics (WA) will be here from Tuesday until Thursday. They will visit the stadium, hotels, hospitals, and immigration entry points. The relays are for Batswana, and as such, we must all play our part. Together we can,” Theetso said.
Meanwhile, this week, Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, launched the World Relays Local Organising Committee, which is headed by Moses Bantsi. The 2026 edition will mark a historic moment for Botswana, as the country becomes the first African nation to host the prestigious global event. Speaking at the event, Kelebeng said the launch was the beginning of a journey that requires unity, diligence, and national spirit. “The biggest task ahead for the LOC is to deliver stunning and successful games, without forgetting to embody the values and principles that define us as a nation,” he said. Kelebeng said hosting the games aligns seamlessly with his ministry's five-year strategy of staging world-class events as a pathway to cultivating a self-reliant sport sector.