Mushrooming marathons worry BAA

Kabelo Boranabi | Friday September 25, 2015 18:00

 

BAA vice president (technical), Glody Dube told Mmegi Sport that some of the marathons do not meet the International Association of Athletics Association (IAAF) standards, thus impact negatively on the image of the local association. He said the association has realised that some of the organisers have little or no information regarding marathon races.

“We have had incidents where individuals and organisations present a 10km race and ask for permission to host a marathon. But a marathon is a 42.2 km race whilst a half marathon is 21.1km. These people do not know what they are talking about,” he said. He said a marathon is not only about the distance, but the track as well. The former middle distance runner said the numerous marathon races have a negative impact on the athletes as they take place more often, thus leaving the athletes with minimum time to rest. “A marathon takes a lot from an athlete and an athlete’s body is not like a car where you can just service and put it onto the road the next day. Athletes need rest, but with these marathons taking place every now and then athletes have minimum rest, so we have to protect our athletes,” he said.

Dube said they have realised that organisations have found an easy way to make money.

“We have had instances where the registration fee is P100 while the prize money is P1,000, meaning only 10 people are enough to contribute to the prize money while the organiser pockets the rest,” he said.

Dube said some of the organisers do not honour agreements with athletes leaving the BAA to clean up the mess.

Meanwhile Dube said the association has already drafted regulations on marathons, which are expected to be endorsed at their meeting next month. “We have affiliates that pay subscriptions, so if these people continue to hold the marathons for free then it will be ridiculous for our affiliates to subscribe, hence the reason why we should have regulations,” he said.

He however acknowledged that companies want to play a part in the development of sports in the country, but in some instances they do not have proper guidance. He said that is why it is critical to have relevant people organising races. Dube said there are only two marathons; the Gaborone Diacore and Selibe-Phikwe marathons that are used as qualifiers for IAAF races. , Lemogang Maswena (Orapa United), Tapiwa Gadibolae (Police XI), Gilbert Baruti (Galaxy), Letlhogonolo

 

Senwelo (Police XI), Joseph Joseph (Police XI), Segolame Boy (Township Rollers), Joel

Mogorosi (Township Rollers), Galabgwe Moyana (Rollers)

Strikers: Hendrick Moyo (GU), Onkabetse Mankgantai (Nico), Phenyo Molefe (Police XI), Moatlhodi Ralesotla (Green Lovers)