BNOC to set Tokyo 2020 qualifying standards
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday April 19, 2017 15:12
This comes after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released the games’ proposed schedule. The schedule includes newly introduced Olympic sports, softball/baseball, sports climbing, surfing, skate boarding and karate. Serufho told Mmegi Sport yesterday that they are yet to meet with their affiliates to come up with the minimum qualification standards.
“We have 20 eligible sporting codes and we cannot assist all of them. We must set up minimum qualifying standards and we will only assist those who meet them. Karate and softball will also be subjected to those standards,” he said.
Serufho said they can only assist softball and karate if they meet the set requirements. He explained that the standards are reviewed on a four-year cycle and at the moment, they are drafting the Tokyo 2020 standards. He said the requirements are expected to be in place by June. Serufho said BNOC depends on the government and the Olympic Solidarity funding, and he hopes the government will release funding on time to enable teams to prepare on time. He said they were impressed with the government’s quick reaction to release funds when the Botswana team was preparing for Rio 2016.
Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) president, Tshepho Bathai said they have not yet started preparing for the games. He said they are going to have a concrete plan after May 7.
“I am taking the BOKA executive committee on an intensive strategy planning retreat. The workshop will be held on May 5 to 7. From that workshop, we will have a clear roadmap,” Bathai said.
For her part, the Botswana Softball Association public relations officer, Kelebogile Seitei said they are yet to approach the BNOC to find out programmes in place to assist the softball team prepare for the qualifiers.
“We are not yet aware of the championships or tournaments that will be used as qualifiers,” she said.
Seitei said Africa will compete with Europe for a slot at the Tokyo games. She said it is unfortunate that Botswana failed to send the women’s team to the Under-19 World Championship due to financial constraints. She said that would have been used as a platform to gauge the strength of the team. Seitei said despite that, Botswana has talented youngsters capable of taking the country to the Olympics. She said Botswana and South Africa are the only teams from the continent that will be vying for an Olympic ticket.