Athletics, a breath of fresh air
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday July 26, 2016 15:20
Few fans bothered to watch the play-off game between Township Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs in Francistown on Saturday and the thousands who stayed away will feel justified after the clash was cancelled. The match did not even reach the half-way mark before it was called off, after Chiefs, fielding only seven players, suffered an injury blow.
This meant the tie could not continue and ensured that the unending football circus rumbles on unabated.
But the football disappointment was quickly shoved aside after yet another record breaking performance from athletics at the IAAF Under-20 World Championships in Poland.
After Karabo Sibanda bagged the 400m bronze on Friday, the 4x400m relay came within a whisker of gold but settled for a still impressive silver after trailing athletics powerhouse, USA.
The U.S reached the finish in 3:02.39, while Botswana, hailed as gallant in defeat, set an African Under-20 record of 3:02.81 in second. Jamaica took bronze in 3:04.83.
Athletics has been the bastion of sport in the country, and the future looks increasingly bright with the undoubted quality of the likes of Baboloki Thebe and Sibanda, while Nijel Amos is still relatively young and will compete for many years to come.
This will ensure a smooth exit for the aging torchbearers, Amantle Montsho and Isaac Makwala as Botswana remains a strong force in athletics.
This has left calls rising for increased or targeted funding for codes that excel on the international stage.
Meanwhile, athletics dominates the team that departs for the Rio Olympics this week, further evidence of the code’s shining star. President Ian Khama was expected to host a send off ceremony for the team at the Gaborone International Convention Centre last night.
Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) spokesperson, Roland Masalila was naturally elated and called for better funding for the best performing code.
“It’s a good performance. We broke the national and Africa record and it was the first time that the relay team managed to get a medal. Two of them have qualified for the Olympics. This is the best ever performance by our junior team.
“But we are concerned that instead of funding increasing, instead, it’s decreasing. This year we were given P1.2 million and you cannot come up with meaningful programmes. Imagine a gold medallist receiving only P1,000 during the national championships,” Masalila said.