BAA powerless over mushrooming marathons
Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday October 26, 2016 15:50
There has been an increasing trend where marathons are organised without BAA’s consent. In September alone, six marathons were held, when there should be at least three full marathons per season.
BAA public relations officer, Roland Masalila said despite being the local regulatory body they do not have legal rights to stop the escalating phenomenon. “We try as much as we can to regulate all the activities, but it is difficult because the law does not give us any legal right to deal with the situation. We are powerless. There is nothing we can do but to distance ourselves from such races so that we do not deal with the consequences of such events,” he said.
Masalila further said there is a need for the involvement of the association, as it would provide prerequisites such as anti-doping agents to promote fair competition at the races. “In a country like Botswana with a small population, I would say three full marathons per season would be enough. But that cannot be achieved as most of the runners depend on the prize money for a living and we also do not want to chase away potential sponsors but at the end of the day we have to do the right thing,” he said.
Masalila lauded BAA affiliates for their cooperation but said they face challenges regarding some schools. “We have advised our affiliates about the situation. Thus far, they have not disappointed. We only have a problem in some of the schools, as some teachers are not empowered enough,” Masalila said.
He said in an attempt to curb the growing trend they are in the process of seeking interventions of the International Associations of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and the Ministry of Youth, Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development.
“This is a worrying factor. Our athletes’ lives are put at risk on daily basis. As of now, I can only say we have to seek help from IAAF and MYSC. We have young people running longer distances than the regulated ones, we need to take action,” he said.
In the past 10 years only one athlete lost life in schools competitions after competing in the 5000m race, while the common injuries are said to be concussions and athletes collapsing on the track.