Hours before event, National Stadium awaits accreditation
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday March 27, 2026 11:50
The National Stadium underwent refurbishment, which included the replacement of the track, construction of an anti-doping block, and refurbishment of toilets, amongst others.
The University of Botswana (UB) stadium, which will serve as a warm-up track, is said to have affected accreditation of the National Stadium because its refurbishment took longer than anticipated.
Speaking to MmegiSport yesterday, Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) marketing and communications manager, Anderson Nlisana, said they were still waiting for the stadium accreditation as of Thursday morning. World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 chief operations officer, Bobby Gaseitsiwe, revealed that the certificate was expected yesterday (Thursday).
Lefika International Relays Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairperson, Thari Mooketsi, said they were concerned about the delay in accrediting the National Stadium.
He added that it is important for the facility to be accredited in order for times recorded to be recognised and enable athletes to qualify for the May global event.
“We are concerned that accreditation has not been done. Teams have arrived, and they do not have a warm-up track,” Mooketsi said. The Lefika Relays serve as a qualifier for the World Athletics Relays for African countries. Regarding tickets, highlighted that the sales were slower than they had expected. He said teams that are coming for the event are booking their own accommodation, but the LOC has assisted them with quotations. According to Mooketsi, Poland has pulled out of the event. Countries that will participate are Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, Nigeria and Kenya.
As Team Botswana continues with preparations for the World Relays, the team that has been in camp will represent the country at the Lefika International Relays. Meanwhile, the Kenyan team will be led by African record holder, Ferdinand Omanyala, who will run in the 4x100m and mixed relay. He told MmegiSport that he is excited to be coming back to Botswana. “I am running in Botswana three times this year; the Lefika, Botswana Golden Grand Prix and World Relays,” Omanyala said.
Another powerhouse from West Africa, Nigeria, will be in Botswana to attempt to qualify for the World Athletics Relays.
The African giant is bringing a strong team that will compete in the 4x100m, mixed 4x100m, men’s 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m. Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams have already qualified for the World Relays.
Lefika Relays events 4x100m mixed relay, 4x400m mixed relay, 4x100m women's relay, 4x400m men's relay, 4x400m women's relay, and 4x400m men' relay.