BAA admits �undercooking� women�s team
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday August 4, 2017 13:20
Amantle Montsho, Lydia Jele, Christina Botlogetswe, Galefele Moroko, Oarabile Babolai and Goitseone Seleka will represent the country in London, but appear undercooked after months without competitive races.
The World Championships athletics team manager, Moses Raphutshe admitted to Mmegi Sport yesterday that the women’s team did not get enough preparations.
He said the focus has been on their male counterparts. Raphutshe said the men’s squad has been competing in various Diamond Leagues meets ahead of London. “The men’s team is in good shape and I cannot say the same about women. But, we believe that they are ready for the assignment at hand.
We believe that they will do their best despite the minimal preparations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Raphutse said the team arrived in London on Monday after a training camp in Cardiff.
He said the training is done and they are just going through light exercises and physiotherapy. He said it is encouraging that the morale is high and athletes know their opponents because they have been competing together in various IAAF meets.
“Nijel has been telling us what he is expecting when the championships starts. With such positive energy, we expect the best results,” he said. BAA spokesperson, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba said the expectation is for the team to bring home medals. He said the association has not set a medal target for fear of pressure. He said setting targets is suicidal. “We do not want to be left with questions hanging over our heads. We expect our athletes to have a good competition,” he said.
Ramatshaba said the local team is in good form, but the challenge was that they have now exposed themselves to their opponents. He said opponents know what to expect from Botswana.