Five countries confirm GIM participation
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday March 2, 2017 14:43
The competition, formerly Sport View International Meet, is scheduled for the National Stadium on April 29.
GIM chairperson, Glody Dube said during the launch of the meet at the Khayelihle guesthouse in Gaborone yesterday, that more countries are expected to confirm participation including European nations.
Dube said the competition would be used as a qualifier for the IAAF World Championships, which are scheduled to be held in August in London.
“This Meet has always been called Sports View International Meet and it has been hosted for the past 15 years. The event was not growing to a level that we intended initially,” he said.
Dube said after evaluation and consultation, the organisers decided to come up with a new name for the event.
He explained that the new name is meant to sell Botswana, attract international recognition in which local athletes would get the opportunity to compete against international athletes and gain experience.
He said international athletes who would be competing at the GIM would push local runners to give out their best.
He added that international runners would also be using the competition to qualify for the World championships.
“The meet is divided into different categories being Premium, Classic and Promotional. We are going to have a competition for the disabled under Special Olympics, where they run 100m,” Dube said.
Botswana Athletics Association representative, Moses Raphutse said the competition was important as local runners continue to battle to qualify for the World championships.
Only three runners, Karabo Sibanda, Nijel Amos and Baboloki Thebe have booked themselves tickets to London.
At the moment, GIM has received sponsorship from Rolling Wheels (P30,000), Khayelihle guesthouse (P40,000), Lefa Welding and Engineering (P5,000) and Special Olympics Botswana president, Ross Tebele (P5,000). Dube pleaded with potential sponsors to come forward and assist. He said the budget for the event is P101,000.