Coach Letham returns to pep up athletes

Kevin Obotseng | Friday November 22, 2013 15:49

“He arrives in the country on Saturday. We actually called him to come and help us as a club, but obviously if anyone else feels they may benefit from him we are open to making arrangements that will help the entire athletics family,” Sport View chairperson Glody Dube Dube told Mmegi Sport.

In 2009, Letham completed an incredible African assignment spanning a total of 44 years, during which he taught Maths and coached some of Botswana’s most successful athletes including Glody Dube, Justice Dipeba and Malebogo Mogano.

The former marathon runner spent almost two decades living, teaching and coaching in Botswana.

His proudest moment as a coach came when Dube finished seventh in the 800m final at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Ironically, Dube is the same man who has been at the forefront to bring him back. “I think everyone involved with athletics knows who this man is and what he achieved while in Botswana.

“I have been trying to bring him back because I know we can go far with him. He is second to none when it comes to talent identification,” Dube said. Dube said the 68-year-old Letham was still passionate and keen on helping Botswana.

Letham stayed in a few African countries briefly, but was in Botswana for the longest time. He spent 18 years in the country.

“That I stayed in Botswana for the longest time than any other African country means there is something good about the country,” he said during his farewell event.

Meanwhile, the 2012 Olympics silver medalist Nijel Amos has been placed under the tutelage of Bobby Gaseitsiwe albeit temporarily.  

The 20-year-old has been struggling with an injury that kept him from competing at the World Championships in Moscow in August.

Amos recently resumed training under Gaseitsiwe while his next move was being looked into.

Indications are that he could be sent to Ethiopia, but his next destination remained a secret this week with officials saying they were gagged from commenting on the athletes’ issues.