Top stars descend for BAA National Championships37
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday April 4, 2026 10:46
During the championships, a lot will be at stake and nobody safe as athletes’ battle to qualify for slots in the Commonwealth Games, Senior Africa Championships and Youth Olympic Games. The Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from Jul 23, 2026 to Aug 2, 2026; Senior Africa Championships in Ghana from May 12 to 17, 2026 while Youth Olympic Games are slated for Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026. The World Athletics Relays team is locked in and the technical team will be keeping a hawk’s eye. Letsile Tebogo, the 100m national record holder, which he set in 2024 with a time of 9.86 seconds, will be out to defend his title.
According to the 100m provisional start list, Tebogo is in heat one alongside Stensolo Sibanda and Kevin Lobatlamang amongst others.
Tebogo will also be part of the 400m event, running in heat three against Lefatshe Seleka and Kabo Rankgwe, amongst others.
The reigning 400m World Champion, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, will run his second 100m this season, in heat two alongside Thapelo Monaiwa and Tumo Van Wyk.
He holds the fastest time of 44.29 seconds set in Pretoria in March 2024. Kebinatshipi has displayed elite 400m speed, including a 43.04-second relay split in 2024, which is among the fastest 4x400m relay splits in history.
The senior men line-up is stacked with Bayapo Ndori, Lee Bhekimpilo Eppie, Kabo Rankgwe, Leungo Scotch, Clifton Meshack, Ernest Kumevu, Boitumelo Masilo, Lefatshe Seleka, Victor Ntweng, and the returning Anthony Pesela amongst others.
Stiff competition is expected in the senior men 200m with a strong field of Selepe Prince Phaezel, Justice Oratile, Baboloki Thebe, Lobatlamang Kevin, Calvin Omphile, Jayson Mandoze and Stensolo Sibanda.
The 400m women are also expected to drop fast times, with the presence of Obakeng Kamberuka who has a personal best (PB) of 51.84 that she set in March in Johannesburg.
Seasoned 400m runner, Galefele Moroko comes into the race with a PB of 53.67 with the focus to make her mark like she did six years ago when she won a gold medal at the African Games.
Other stars in the 400m line up include Batisane Kennekae, Karabo Mantswinyane, Naledi Monthe,Golekanye Chikani and Christine Botlogetswe.
The junior women 100m and 200m races will also be exciting with Jwaneng Athletics Club runner, Same Mohutsiwa are expected to stoke the fires. She has a PB of 12.07 and 24.63 in the 100m and 200m, respectively.
The 800m and 1500m national record holder, Oratile Nowe will battle for supremacy in the two events. Kethobogile Haingura and Tshepiso Masalele will be in the mix for the men’s 800m and 1500m races respectively.
Athletics coach, Nason Maotwe said it will be the best national championships ever because all top athletes are present.
“For the first time, top athletes will be competing in the event and that will improve the standard of the event,” he said told Mmegi Sport.
“We expect fast time and those who clock Sub 46 might now make it to the finals.”
For his part, Max Ndolo said the national championships will be a thriller since the Commonwealth Games and Senior Africa Championships qualifications are still open. The championships get underway at the newly refurbished track of the National Stadium from today (Friday) April 3 until Sunday April 5.