Team Botswana impressive at AUSC youth games

Thato Kala | Monday December 15, 2014 15:30

 

The country managed to get 15 medals in athletics with six being gold, five silver and four bronze.

Botswana chef de mission, Healer Modiradilo expressed satisfaction with Team Botswana’s performance despite the tough competition, adding the various sporting teams had done well in the circumstances.

He said the athletics’ team’s showing proved there is talent in Botswana that can compete at regional level and with more effort in training, more athletes could emerge.

“Overall, we are happy with the performance that Team Botswana made and although the competition was tough because there were very good opponents, we managed to collect 28 medals and more could be on their way.

“All teams did well, but on the whole we would have liked to see more medals, but I believe we made a performance that we can build on,” said Modiradilo.

Botswana’s women football team rose from the bottom of the table on Thursday to scoop a silver medal after walloping the hosts, Zimbabwe 5-0. The victory saw them secure the second place in the pool after the completion of the round-robin tournament, with South Africa topping the table.

Botswana got goals from Chedza Katsibe, who scored a brace, Boitumelo Gammu, Refilwe Tholakele and Thapelo Moshe.

Modiradilo said although the women’s team started slow they knew they could pull off a surprise and the silver medal was well deserved because of the display they put up against Zimbabwe.

Athletics coach, Agrippa Matshameko was pleased with the performance adding they should build on the success they made particularly in the 400m and 800m events.

Team Botswana’s men’s team proved too good for the rest of the pack in the 400m men’s event as they scooped all the three medals. Karabo Sibanda came first in 47.38seconds, followed by Leungo Scotch in 47.42seconds and Wanano Keetile was third, crossing the line in 47.79seconds. The team went on to scoop gold in the men and women’s 400m finals and Boitumelo Masilo came first in the 800m.

“The team did well considering the fact that we did not have enough time to train because these are school pupils in the team hence they were still at school. But we managed to perform well and we excelled in the 400m events.

“I believe we need more training to improve our performance. If we participate in more competitions and get more training camps I think we can improve and also make inroads into other events as well,” said Matshameko. In boxing, Otukile Mahommed was the only boxer able to bag gold after beating Teboho Masiu of Lesotho, while Ogaketse Kutlwano fell to Zimbabwe’s Trade Nkomozabo and Atang Mosenke was beaten by Zambia’s Nkumbu Silungwe in the finals.

Modiradilo said they are looking forward to building on their success and improving their showing in the next edition of the Games that are scheduled for Angola.