BAA selects squad for world event

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Correspondent | Wednesday March 14, 2007 00:00

Meanwhile, Botswana athletes returned home empty-handed from Pretoria, South Africa on Saturday after they fared badly in their first competition of the year. The star-studded squad of 15 athletes failed to win any race or event in the Pretoria meet.
The best that the Botswana athletes managed was second spot. Though he failed to win his long jump specialty, Gable Garenamotse said he is not worried after his 7.79m mark was only bettered by South Afri-can Khotso Mokoena with 8.34m. He said this was his first competition this year while the man who beat him has been active throughout the indoor season.

Though California Molefhe has been active in the indoor season, running in various events in Europe, he was humiliated to sixth spot in Pretoria in the 400m.

Celebrated 800m war horse Glody Dube did not participate in the indoor events but finished fourth in South Africa. Experienced high jumper, Onnanye Ramohube of the BDF finished third in Pretoria after doing 2.05m. His personal best record is 2:15m. The winner Carelse Ramsay did 2.15m.

Tshotlego Morama finished 11th in the women's 800m in 2:22.19 seconds. She was followed by compatriot, Goitseone Seleka with 2:29. 73secs. Botswana's Fanuel Kenosi was second in his category of men's 100m in 10.93 seconds while Mooketsi Magaga was seventh in his category with 11.80 seconds. 

Tshepo Kealotswe, Kabo Rantshelane, and Mokgadi Omphemetse competed in category C of the men's 400m, finishing 4th, 5th, and 6th. In the B race, Isaac Makwalo came 4th in 46.60 secs.  Omphe-metse took part in the 3,000m event and finished 17th in a pack of 23 runners.

The BAA track and field calendar for the year 2007 has just started and only two local events have been held so far. This partly explains why the athletes are still trying to find their footing.