All hail BAA success

Thuso Palai | Wednesday August 26, 2015 15:01

While most sporting codes have been disappointing and rather off colour, the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) remains one of the unsung heroes of sport in Botswana. The Association has over the years produced and developed world beaters who have gone on to represent Botswana with aplomb.

Botswana athletes continue to perform well at international competitions and this will augur well for the sport as more and more young prospects will look up to the likes of Nijel Amos and Isaak Makwala and would want to emulate them and see themselves competing at the highest level, representing their country.

Glody Dube showed many in Botswana that it is possible, when out of nowhere he qualified for the Olympic Finals. That was a mean feat, he opened doors and since then, we have been a fixture at international competitions. Although not in many numbers, but the athletes that we field in the different disciplines do compete and not just participate.

Isaak Makwala, Kabelo Kgosiemang, Amantle Montsho and Nijel Amos Botswana in the athletics map and have been a thorn in the shoes of many. Sadly, Montsho is currently out of action due to a doping offence. Up to now, I still have a sour taste about the whole issue that led to her suspension.

I’m not too sure if she will be able to regain her glory after the two year layoff. Having showed a lot of promise and potential, Makwala has finally come to the party and has become a world beater. He has done well in international competitions and is the current African champion, holding the African record at his discipline.

For the past two years or so, he has been a fixture in international competitions around the world and has continued to rise and rise. Despite not being among the medals, high jumper Kgosiemang continues to be there and thereabouts. He has been consistent and also continues to improve on his performances. 

Amos’ stock continues to rise by the day despite bombing out in the early stages at the recent IAAF World Athletics Championships, he is Botswana’s brightest shining light. He has been consistent in the Diamond League competitions and will for some years to come, be in among the medals at international competitions. With a bit more guidance, he will dominate his discipline.

Other names that are coming through and will be mentioned from time to time include Onkabetse Nkobolo, Pako Seribe and Sakarea Kamberuka. There are others lurking in the background. These youngsters will continue to improve and will sooner rather than later reach the heights that Montsho, Makwala and Amos have reached. 

All this has not come about by chance, but is through the diligence, hardwork and dedication of some within the sport code. Just from development stages, the BAA has put in place measures to develop and nurture talent at an early age.

Despite the challenges that face each and every sport code in the country of finances and coaches, Botswana Athletics Association has not used that as an excuse and continues to do relatively well. These efforts continue to produce ad nurture young talent, with names like Karabo Sibanda and Onkabetse Nkobolo coming to mind.

Despite the challenges that sport faces in Botswana, BAA continues to thrive and with their development programmes, they should be commended. If it were up to me, Athletics would get an even bigger share of subvention from government as they are indeed doing well.