Kenatshele accuses BAA of favouritism
Tumelo Mouwane | Tuesday February 16, 2016 12:19
Kenatshele accused the association of overlooking him for international assignments despite his capability.
He told Mmegi Sport over the weekend during the national cross-country championships in Gaborone that he has been, on several occasions, unfairly overlooked.
“I was even left out when I had beat those who had been called to camp.
I just want to represent the country in international championships. All I want is to be given an opportunity,” Kenatshele said.
The long distance runner said his problem was that he did not understand BAA’s selection criteria as it seemed to prefer ‘some’ over others.
“The problem is that I don’t understand BAA’s selection criteria. They prefer some over others. I never compete in cross-country championships locally. I just take part in cross country competitions for fun because my race is 800 metres. I only take part because I know I have potential, nothing more.
“I was the 800-metre champion in all Southern African Championships which were held in Botswana in 2013 and I won all my races. The same people who I outclassed in Botswana took part in the Southern Championships. In 2015, I outran a Namibian athlete called Daniel Nghipandulwa.
The same athlete went on to win at the next stage because I was left home and a different athlete represented the country,” he said.
The athlete said he was recently left out of the national team after being told that his time was outside the qualifying time. The athlete argues the same person sent to represent the country came second behind him.
“I wonder how the athlete was preferred over me while I beat him. The same athletes that I always outclass always compete at the AAG’s and I am always left behind. All Africa Games winners clock less than 1 minute 50 seconds and my time is 1 minute 48 seconds, but I am always ignored,” Kenatshele said.
Kenatshele believes if given chance, he will represent the country well at the Olympics.
“I came into 2016 in great form and I am up for the Olympics if I could be given a chance to go and compete in the 800 metres just like other athletes who are given a chance.
“I believe I can do it at the Olympics because there are some international athletes I beat, but you see them at the Olympics or All Africa Games.”
BAA vice president, Glody Dube denied snubbing Kenatshele saying there was no qualifying times for cross country races.
Kenatshele won the weekend senior men’s national 10km cross country race outclassing over 30 senior athletes. The Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) runner has on several occasions lambasted the BAA for ‘unfair’ treatment.