Botswana relays up against the best in Bahamas
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday April 21, 2017 16:58
Team Botswana has been an up and coming force in the 4x400m relay in recent years, thanks to mercurial youngsters Baboloki Thebe and Karabo Sibanda, who will join forces with established sprinter Isaac Makwala in what looks like a formidable force, one capable of taking the title if they perform to their best.
The men’s team narrowly missed a podium finish last year at the Rio Olympics as they settled for fifth position. The team missed star man, Thebe due an injury and would be looking to redeem themselves this time around.
The trio of Thebe, Sibanda and Makwala is likely to be joined by Spain-based, Onkabetse Nkobolo who seems a better option compared to Boitumelo Masilo and Leamane Maotoanong.
The local boys would face solid competition from the usual suspects, Jamaica, Bahamas and the USA. The USA over the years has proved to be an unstoppable force in this event and they enter the competition as the reigning champions. Great Britain, Trinidad & Tobago and the European Indoor Champions, Poland are the dark horses in the event.
The women’s team welcomes back former world champion Amantle Montsho who joins Olympians Lydia Jele and Christine Botlogetswe. Goitseone Seleka and Galefele Moroko and Loungo Matlhaku will battle for the last spot in the team with Moroko likely to be preferred by the technical team as she has already clocked the season’s best.
Despite being overshadowed by their male counterparts, the team will be looking to prove that they a force to reckon with. The local women would look to break the USA-Jamaica dominance in the category but would have to put up their A-game, as Great Britain and Bahamas emerge as potential spoilers.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday before the team left for Bahamas, Otsetswe said these are the best teams to represent the country, but he said last year’s success at the Olympics should not be used to judge the team.
“We are stronger than before, remember last time we did well at the Olympics, though we did not win. This time around we want to do better. We are still underdogs, and that on its own lifts pressure from us. We have had long talks with the athletes that they should stay calm and do what we have been doing in training,” he said.
Team Botswana would know their first heat opponents today. The women relay heats would start on April 23 at 4:17am while the men’s 4x400m heat starts at 4:53am. The finals are on April 24 at 4:27am.