Tebogo, Ndori to join team in Japan
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday September 1, 2025 06:00
Head coach, Chilume ‘Chippa’ Ntshwarang, told MmegiSport that Tshepiso Masalela (800m) and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi will join the rest of the team in South Korea after the Diamond League final that was held yesterday (Thursday).
He said they tried to set up a training camp in Japan, but other teams had already booked before Botswana. Ntshwarang stated they tried to book only to find that there was no accommodation or training facilities available.
He said South Korea is a good choice because it is not far from the competition venue, about a two-hour flight.
After competing in the Diamond League final, Tebogo and Ndori will finalise their preparations in Europe.
“There is a special arrangement for Letsile and Ndori, who have requested to finalise their training camp for a week before they join the rest of the team in Tokyo on September 9. We will have a few days to train together before the competition,” he said.
Ntshwarang revealed that Kebonyemodisa ‘Dose’ Mosimanyane is not part of the technical team, as he will be a personal trainer to Tebogo and Bayapo at the championships. “Mosimanyane will be in Tokyo focusing on his athletes. He decided to go that route; it is not a wrong thing to do, and it is an international practice. Coaches in the team are Max Ndolo and Johnson Kubisa,” he said.
Meanwhile, there have been some changes in the 400m team, with Zibane Ngozi coming in to replace Kabo Rankgwe.
“When we went to the last race in Francistown, Kabo Rankgwe was ranked last with a time of 45.06, and during the race, Ngozi registered 45.01, finishing in third position behind Lee Eppie and Ndori. It means Rankgwe is out, and Ngozi is the new addition to the team. At the moment, Tumo Nkape (800m) remains unclear if he will travel with the team. But there is a chance that he is dropped because he was on the edge of the world rankings,” he said.
Ntshwarang said the road to Tokyo qualification list is yet to be published, and is expected to be out today (Friday).
The Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) will today hold a send-off ceremony for the team at Oasis Motel in Tlokweng. The team has 13 athletes and nine officials.
The World Athletics Championships are set for Tokyo, Japan, from September 13 to 21.