Sibanda Readies To Reclaim Track Again
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday March 23, 2020 14:28
The injury took the athlete through a roller-coaster until this year when Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) president, Paphane Botlhale took an infamous decision to bring him back into the national team fold.
The team manager, Tshepo Kelaotswe told Sport Monitor that Sibanda was to start competing at the Francistown International Meet that was to take place in April.
“That seems impossible because of the coronavirus outbreak. He has been going through conditioning training and he has been responding positively. He kills his sessions and very competitive against his teammates. I believe he is back,” he said.
Sibanda is one of the athletes who carry the hopes of the country to qualify for Olympic Games. Just like other sporting codes, BAA has suspended all its activities locally as per their calendar. Despite that, athletes who are already in the camp continue with the practice.
Meanwhile, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho has said that they have voted for the Olympic Games to go ahead. Serufho told Sport Monitor that the decision was taken during a conference call with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Thomas Bach last week.
“It has been decided that the Games should go on as planned. There is no need to stop them now. The IOC, like all of us, are basing their planning on what they know and are receiving the best advice,” Serufho said.
He said the challenge that remains is to get athletes to qualify. He said the IOC and sporting associations should make sure that athletes are not disadvantaged. Tokyo is set to host about 11,000 athletes and 57% have earned their spots at the Games.
The remaining 43% will claim their places through modified qualifiers, or previous performances based on ranking. At the moment, Botswana has a qualified five athletes being: Amantle Montsho, Christine Botlogetswe, Galefele Moroko, Keamogetse Kenosi and Nijel Amos.