Sibanda off to Italy for medical attention
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday June 1, 2017 15:50
Sibanda’s coach, Mogomotsi Otsetswe told Mmegi Sport yesterday that he was busy with the visa application for the athlete to travel to Italy.
He said the athlete pulled a muscle during the race and stopped running on time after feeling the pain. Otsetswe said the doctors in Italy have promised that Sibanda would be back in shape in two weeks.
“The injury should be sorted out in a week, maximum is two weeks. That means he would be able to compete at the London IAAF World Championships in August. I also expect him to take part in two events before the World Championships,” he said.
Otsetswe said fortunately the athlete did not injure the muscle that has always been giving him a problem. He said that could have been a disaster. Meanwhile, the coach said he was impressed with the performance of Baboloki Thebe at the Diamond League. He said the performance is an indication that Thebe is in for a good season.
In the meantime, the Botswana team has left for the Southern African region track and field championship scheduled for Zimbabwe tomorrow. Otsetswe said upon return from Zimbabwe, the team will travel for a training camp in Europe on June 26, 2017.
“We have decided to start our training camp in Italy before moving to Cardiff.
We held a training camp in Cardiff in 2012 because the city has all weather conditions you can think of,” Otsetswe said. “Including the same weather we are going to experience in London during the World Championship. Residents of that city always give us massive support that is a motivation to us.”
At the moment, nine athletes have qualified for the World championship, the latest being Onkabetse Nkobolo. Otsetswe said to be a member of the relay team, one has to be consistent and improving all the time. He said the technical team does not focus on the past times but current form.