Selebi-Phikwe to host athletics competition for youngsters

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Friday October 21, 2011 00:00

A1 Electrical and Hardware are sponsoring the tournament for P35, 000.Tournament organiser, Mogomotsi Otsetswe told Mmegi Sport that the sponsorship has increased, a sign that the sponsors were happy with the way the event was organised last year. He said that all Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) clubs and regional schools are expected to take part in the event in which close to 200 children will be battling it out.

'The competition is expected to be fierce and Boitshoko Primary School from Botshabelo will be there to defend their title. The competition is meant for children aged between eight and nine years,' he said.Otsetswe said the first prize is P4, 000, second prize is P3, 000, third prize is P2,000 and positions four up to 20 will walk away with P500 each.

He mentioned that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has invited the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Shaw Kgathi, Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) and the 400-metres world champion, Amantle Montsho to grace the event.

The competition will start in the morning and is expected to end by lunchtime. Otsetswe said that although athletics is growing in the country, it is still difficult to secure sponsorship. He stated that most businesses in Selebi-Phikwe are unwilling to sponsor athletics, but appreciated the sponsorship from A1 Hardwarre.

Otsetswe, who is also an International Association of Athletics of Athletics (IAAF) coach, said the competition is also meant to encourage youngsters to take part in athletics.