Team Botswana shines at AUSC games
Tlotlo Kebinakgabo | Friday December 16, 2016 13:53
At the time of going to press yesterday, Botswana had accumulated 12 gold medals in different categories. The gold medals came through Karabo Sibanda in the 400m, Galefele Moroko in the women’s 400m, Katlego Matutu in the T12 400m, 200m and 800m. Other gold medals came through Gorata Gabankitse in the men’s 800m and 1,500m. The 4X100m and 4x400m men’s relay teams also scooped gold medals while Aobakwe Nkobela also came first in the high jump. Naomi Ruele and David van der Colff also managed to win gold medals for Botswana in swimming.
Alastair Bagopi finished second in both the 800m and 1,500m to bag silver medals for Botswana. The women’s 4x100m and 4x400m also brought home silver medals. Other silver medallists include Lucky Manama in judo, Tefo Maitewa (52kg) and Boifang Kenaope (64kg) in boxing, Moroko in women’s 200m, Omphemetse Poo in 400m and Kgalalelo Tlalanyane in 110m women’s hurdles.
The domination by local athletes continued as they also raked in bronze medals through Edwin Sello of judo, Kagiso Kebatshwaretse in 1,500m and Mompoloki Poowane in the men’s 200m. Logic Motshwaredi (high jump), Tumelo Daniel in women’s javelin and Obakeng Molebo of boxing (75kg) also bagged bronze medals for Botswana.
The netball team is also delivering splendid performances after defeating their fierce rivals and Netball Youth World Cup African counterparts, Zimbabwe by 38-30.
They also demolished Namibia 54-19. Botswana is yet to make its mark in tennis as Emmanuel Mabechu, Ketlhogile Monnayoo and Thandile Kololo failed to win their first matches.
As it stands, athletics is the most performing with seven gold medals, six silver and four bronze medals. They won 19 medals in the previous games, which were hosted by Zimbabwe in 2014.