Cycling debut at Commonwealth Youth Games
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday July 11, 2017 14:57
Botswana is sending a team of three cyclists; Dimpho Masi (man), Arnold Kokwane (man) and Tsaone Latiwa (woman). The trio is competing in the road race and time trials. Botswana Cycling Association (BCA) secretary general, Tlamelo Dube told Mmegi Sport yesterday that they have a relationship with World Cycling Centre Africa based in Potchefstroom, South Africa, where they send teams for specialised training.
“We sent a team there last year and early this year we sent them again. Upon their return we received an invitation from Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) and we put in a request for funding. It was approved and we were one step ahead in terms of training.
We now had to do continuity from what we have been doing,” he said. Dube said the team had been in camp since June and the courses they train in are in different areas.
The team goes for training through climbs in Taung, Kanye and Lobatse with flat along A1-Rasesa road. He said the team has competed in a race in South Africa last week, which was more similar to the course that they would be using in Bahamas. Dube said Bahamas course is almost similar to Botswana because it is a flat surface.
“The individual time trials for women is one lap while men is two laps. Women would be doing 60km while men would be doing 90km. Locally they have been doing more than that. We believe that they are ready for the competition,” Dube said. Meanwhile, BNOC chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho said the team selection was based on merit. He said there are also set qualification standards and subject athletes to meet such standards.
“We have not set a medal target for the team. We have agreed that we do not want to put pressure on the team. Despite that, we are going to do our best. These games do not promote medals but participation by the youth,” he said. Botswana will also be represented by 14 athletes across four sports aged between 15 and 18, being athletics, boxing and swimming.
The teams: Athletics: Oarabile Tshosa (W) 100m and 200m, Rose Sanane (W) 100m and 200m, Tlhompang Basele (W) 400m, Naledi Lopang (W) 400m, Olesitse Bernard (M) 400m and 800m, Mothusi Boitshwarelo (M) 200m. Phodiso Rampa (M) 200m and Omphile Ntaolang (M) 400m.
Swimming: James Freeman (M) 1500m freestyle, 200m & 400m butterfly, 200 and 400m IM. Boxing: Treasure Moremi (M) 56kg and Brian Galelemogwe (M) 64kg. Chef de Mission is Lechedzani Master Luza.