Masalela loses all after disqualification

Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday February 24, 2026 13:07

The athlete was disqualified for unsporting behaviour during the Orlen Copernicus Indoor Meet in Torun, Poland, in an event that was part of the World Athletics Indoor Tour. Masalela was disentitled for unsportsmanlike conduct after gesturing aggressively at Azeddine Habz down the homestretch. This is despite him clocking 3:32.55 which led to Habz ultimately been credited with the win with a time of 3:32.56.

Track and field technical expert, Thomas Ndazila told Sport Monitor that Masalela contravened Rule 7.1.

The Rule states that ‘athletes and relay teams shall participate in athletics competitions with bona fide effort and shall not engage in unsporting or improper conduct. Any athlete or relay teams failing to comply with this Rule may be warned or disqualified.’

Ndazila explained that the Rule 7.1 is meant to protect other athletes from such unsportsmanlike conduct that was displayed by Masalela.

He said unless if the middle distance runner did his gestures pointing to the air not another athlete, he was not going to be disqualified.

“His disqualification means he has lost everything, his time which was to be the national record is not recognised, his ranking in 1,500m is gone and he will not receive prize money,” Ndazila said.

“I have seen other people comparing Masalela’s celebration to Swedish pole vaulter, Mondo Duplantis. That is not a proper comparison, because whenever Duplantis does it, he points in the air, not other athletes. Unsporting behaviour is not something big, it means anything that will devalue another athlete, officials or spectators hence we have Safeguarding in athletics.”

He said the Rule 7.1 is not a new rule, it has always been there and it is important for athletes to always be aware of the rules because ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

For his part, athletics coach, Max Ndolo said strong performance speaks louder than gestures and winning with humility often earns even greater respect. He said Masalela should refrain from such acts.

Meanwhile, it was a good weekend for local athletes at the Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria where Oratile Nowe continued with her brilliant performance.

Nowe blasted to a season opener, breaking the national record in the 1,500m with 4:07.13. The performance becomes fastest time ever run at the Pilditch Stadium, officially cementing her as the fastest woman middle distance runner in Botswana.

Another athlete, rising 400m runner, Justice Oratile clocked a season opener of 45.68 at the same event.