Strong athletics aims for gold in Rabat
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday August 23, 2019 11:47
On paper, the team is one of the strongest on the continent, and expectations are that they would bring gold.
Some of the athletes would use the tournament to try and qualify for IAAF World Championships, which take place in Doha in September, as well as the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.
Amantle Montsho told Mmegi Sport during their final training session on Wednesday that she is ready for the African Games.
Montsho said although she started training late, she is in good shape to lead the women’s 4x400m relay.
Equally, Onkabetse Nkobolo said he was ready for the Games and to raise the Botswana flag.
Botswana has traditionally been an athletics stronghold on the globe, and should carry too much firepower for their continental counterparts.
Oarabile Tshosa goes to the competition with a time of 54:00 while Galefele Moroko has 51:00 under her belt. The same thing cannot be said about the men’s team as only two members have recently done 45.1, which is the qualifying standard for the World Championships.
Only youngster, Ditiro Nzamani and Baboloki Thebe have managed to run better than the Doha qualifying standard.
It was important to at least have one member of the men’s team running 44 to give a better split. At the moment the fastest time, the men’s team has recorded is 45.09 and they managed that time once.
“To me 45.0 is not good enough having guys who are debutants and not yet at Doha standard,” said athletics commentator, Billy Tambula.
Isaac Makwala will make a comeback to the track after spending almost half of the year nursing injuries. Coach, Kebonemodisa Dose Mosimanyane said preparations have been going well.
“Part of this team competed in Cameroon and we added others who were at the Manchester International Meet where they did well.
The other team went to Bahamas. It was relay teams for 4x400m and 4x100m. We have been beefing it all along,” he said.
Mosimanyane said all the races were preparations for the African Games and IAAF World Championships. He said on paper it is the strongest team. “As far as targets are concerned, individual athletes have their own targets.
Some want us to qualify for the World Championships and others Tokyo 2020. Everybody wants to use this opportunity before the deadline, which is September 6 and we should be submitting the names by the 5th,” said Mosimanyane.
He said it would be nice to qualify for both the World Championships and the Olympics.
The team:
Tsaone Sebele (100m/200m), Galefele Moroko (400m) Montsho (400m/4x400m),Oratile Rose Nowe (4x400m), Tlhomphang Basele (4x400m), Oarabile Babolai (100m hurdles/4x400m), Loungo Matlhaku (100m/200m), Baboloki Thebe (200m/4x400m), Leungo Scotch (400m/4x400m), Onkabetse Nkobolo (400m/4x400m), Boitumelo Masilo (800m), Zibane Ngozi (400m/4x400m), Ditiro Nzamane (400m/4x400m), Leaname Maotoanong (200m/4x100m), Kemorena Tisang (110m hurdles), Tshepiso Masalela (800m), Karabo Mothibi (100m/200m), Keene Motukisi (100m/4x100m), Thuto Masasa (4x100m), Rebeilwe Thwanyane (4x100m), Yateya Kambepera (4x100m) and Makwala (200m/400m).
Field events: Aobakwe Nkebela (high jump), Tlhalosang Tshireletso (triple jump), Tshwarelo Aabobe (high jump), Kabelo Kgosiemang (high jump).