Following a three-month spell in a hospital bed after a fatal car crash early this year, national team sprinter Onkabetse Nkobolo has been released from hospital.
Having spent days at the Bokamoso Private Hospital and Princess Marina Hospital, Nkobolo is reported to be recuperating from home.
The talented 400m sprinter was involved in a car crash after breaking camp protocols together with team mate Baboloki Thebe when they sneaked out of national team camp.
While attended at home by his doctors, it is not yet clear whether the athlete will return to track after suffering a spinal injury that left his lower body weakened.
It is said that his upper body has since recovered and currently working with a physiotherapist to strengthen his lower body with expectation that a report from the doctor will determine his athletics future soon.
In an interview with Sunday Standard, Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) Vice President (VP) Administration Oabona Theetso confirmed that Nkobolo is gradually recovering from home as they await a full report on the athlete’s future.
“Nkobolo has been released from hospital and is doing well in his recovery program. We are currently awaiting a report from his doctor as he has started strength training of his lower body. His upper body is doing great and back to normal while his lower body is being monitored by a physiotherapist,” Theetso told Sunday Standard.
However, Theetso said despite the gradual recovery, Nkobolo is not yet able to walk without assistance as he still uses crutches for support.
“There is still hope as he is not wheel chair bound despite the spine injury. He still uses crutches for walking and at times a wheel chair at home when he tires. We are still hopeful that he will fully recover and return to track but the doctor will determine his fate in the near future,” revealed Theetso.
Amongst Nkobolo’s top achievements in the athletics arena include Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Gold medal in the 4x400m relay and another Gold medal in the All Africa games in Rabat Morocco last year.
Nkobolo is one of the vital members of the national 4x 400m relay team as he was also instrumental when the team gunned down silver medal at the Bahamas IAAF World relays in 2017 and Gold medal at the 2016 African championships held in Durban, South Africa.
